WASHINGTON, D.C. -- NIOSH will recognize Respiratory Protection Day on September 1, 2026, to promote the proper selection and use of respirators in the workplace. Respiratory Protection Day recognizes the millions of workers who rely on respiratory protection every day and highlights the importance of effective respiratory protection.

"Respirators are a critical and life-saving piece of equipment for workers across industry sectors," said Maryann D'Alessandro, Ph.D., director of NIOSH's National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL). "Respiratory Protection Day provides an opportunity to focus on ensuring that workers are correctly using the right respirator—a small but critical action to protect workers' health and safety."

Through collaboration with NPPTL's industry partners and stakeholders, NIOSH will share educational resources with employers and workers across healthcare, construction, manufacturing, mining, emergency response, public safety, and many other industries where respiratory protection helps reduce exposure to airborne hazards.

"We encourage employers to participate in Respiratory Protection Day by promoting the importance of proper respirator use among their employees," said Dr. D'Alessandro. "Employers can look to NIOSH for tools, resources, and messages to help encourage proper respiratory protection practices."

NIOSH Respiratory Protection Day resources

NIOSH Science Bulletin – Read NIOSH's Respiratory Protection Day post that highlights NIOSH research and resources across four sectors: public safety, healthcare, mining, and construction.

Counterfeit/Misrepresented Respirators Webpage – Learn more about how products may be falsely marketed as NIOSH Approved; see examples and learn how to spot counterfeit or misrepresented respirators.

Donning/Doffing Pictorial – Find a step-by-step guide to correctly put on (don) and take off (doff) a filtering facepiece respirator.

NIOSH's NPPTL is responsible for respirator certification. NPPTL also conducts respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment research, evaluation, and post-market activities. One of NPPTL's primary functions is to help ensure that respirators used in occupational settings meet established rigorous performance standards and quality assurance requirements as part of the NIOSH respirator approval process. NPPTL's Respirator Approval Program exists to increase worker protection from airborne chemicals and vapors and reduce work-related illness.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. For more information about NIOSH, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh.