NIOSH revises CBRN Respiratory Protection Handbook; CBRN APR Protection List expanded and fit-testing statement corrected

NIOSH published an updated/revised CBRN Respiratory Protection Handbook (Publication 2025-111). The update expands the CBRN APR Protection List (described as increasing from 139 to 286 hazards) and includes corrections/clarifications regarding fit testing references (clarifying OSHA’s continued acceptance of qualitative fit testing for positive pressure tight-fitting respirators and NFPA’s identification of quantitative fit testing for positive pressure respirator wearers). This matters for emergency response and CBRN respiratory protection program planning, hazard coverage assumptions, and fit-testing communications aligned to NIOSH/OSHA/NFPA expectations.