Which federal agency is responsible for setting design and testing requirements for respiratory protection?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the correct answer because this agency is specifically tasked with developing and recommending standards for occupational safety and health, including the design and testing of respiratory protection equipment. NIOSH conducts research in order to ensure that equipment such as respirators meets the necessary safety and performance criteria, thereby protecting workers from hazardous environments.

OSHA, while critical in enforcing regulations that require the use of respiratory protection, does not specifically set the design and testing requirements. Instead, OSHA often relies on NIOSH’s standards when creating regulations related to workplace safety. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primarily focuses on environmental issues and does not set standards for respiratory protective equipment. Similarly, the Department of Labor (DOL) oversees labor issues and workplace conditions but does not deal with the design and testing of respiratory protection specifically; its role is more about enforcement and compliance with workplace laws and safety standards established by agencies like OSHA and NIOSH.