NIOSH first gutted, then partially reinstated

NIOSH, the federal agency under CDC responsible for worker health and occupational safety generally - and respiratory protection specifically - suffered devastating budget and staffing cuts earlier this spring, essentially shutting down all related activities including testing and certification of N95 respirators and other respiratory protection.  After weeks of ardent, outspoken lobbying - particularly by firefighters and congressional representatives in coal-producing states where coal miner health is closely tied to respiratory protection - several hundred NIOSH staff have been called back to work temporarily.  Read about the impact of the cuts here, and about the ongoing lawsuits to reinstate NIOSH workers here.