Who is responsible for approving the proper respirators for pesticide use?

The responsibility for approving proper respirators for pesticide use falls under the authority of NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). NIOSH is involved in the testing and certification of respiratory protection devices, ensuring that they meet safety and effectiveness standards for various hazardous exposures, including those found in pesticide applications. NIOSH evaluates different types of respiratory equipment to ensure they can protect users from inhaling harmful substances while working.

While OSHA sets regulations for workplace safety and may require the use of NIOSH-approved respirators, it does not directly approve them. The EPA's role primarily focuses on the regulation of pesticides and ensuring that they are used safely and effectively but does not extend to respirator certification. The CDC, although an important public health agency, does not have the authority to approve respirators for occupational use. NIOSH's specialized focus on occupational safety makes it the appropriate authority for this function.