USA: NIOSH releases strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has released various crisis/alternate strategies to optimize the supply of N95 respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These include allowing the use of Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs) approved under standards used in other countries that are similar to NIOSH-approved N95 respirators. Whilst companies may supply these FFRs to health care providers (HCP) without having NIOSH approval, they may not make any false claims of having NIOSH approval for the products.

Other measures being taken include the use of additional respirators beyond the manufacturer-designated shelf life for care of patients with COVID-19. NIOSH stresses the importance that HCP perform the expected seal check, prior to entering a patient care area.

To review NIOSH’s crisis strategies, visit the link here.

How TSG can help

Our consultants can assist in identifying appropriate tests for FFRs in order to fulfill data requirements as well as develop and review labels and label claims.