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NIOSH Conformity Assessment Letter to Manufacturers
Subject: Issue Affecting Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) Testing for NIOSH CBRN Respirator Approvals
NIOSH CA 2022-1050
November 2022
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) employs the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Chemical Biological Center (CBC) to conduct Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) testing. These services support the NIOSH Respirator Approval Program by completing CWA testing for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) respiratory protection conformance.
On October 26, 2022, DEVCOM-CBC formally notified NIOSH that as of October 6, 2022, the Sarin (GB) testing hood within the Simulant Agent Resistant Test Manikin (SMARTMAN) Laboratory has been on safety stand-down to correct safety concerns related to the fume hood and the test box. All GB SMARTMAN operations are postponed until a new test system is implemented. A new chamber has been designed and manufactured and is currently being installed in the new lab space. DEVCOM-CBC anticipates the system will be validated and verified by the second week of January 2023.
NIOSH will inform stakeholders when the new GB test system and laboratory become operational.