Which organization is responsible for certifying respirators?

The organization responsible for certifying respirators is NIOSH, which stands for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH has the authority to evaluate and approve respiratory protective devices to ensure they meet specific safety and performance standards. This involves testing respirators under controlled conditions to assess their effectiveness in filtering out hazardous substances, which is crucial for the safety of workers, particularly those who may be exposed to asbestos or other dangerous materials.

While OSHA establishes regulations regarding workplace safety and can dictate when respirators must be used, it does not conduct the actual certification of the respirators themselves. The EPA's focus is mainly on environmental protection and does not oversee respirator certification. Similarly, although the CDC plays an important role in public health, it does not certify respirators, as that responsibility lies specifically with NIOSH. Thus, NIOSH is the authoritative body that ensures respirators are safe and effective for use in various hazardous environments, making it the correct answer.