The NIOSH Science Blog provides an opportunity to exchange ideas on various workplace safety and health topics with leading researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog en-US uzc9@cdc.gov National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] Substantial increases in opioid-involved deaths since 1999 led to the United States declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017. Although drug overdose deaths have begun to decline since 2023, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44.[i] In 2022, over three-quarters of overdose deaths involved an opioid, and almost 90% of those involved synthetic opioids, primarily illegally-made fentanyl. [ii], [iii] Workers in the mining industry have higher rates of substance use disorders (SUD), illegal opioid use, and fatal overdoses compared with workers in most other industries.[iv], [v], [vi] Mine workers also have among the https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=761924 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/12/01/niosh-msha-guide-sud/ Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:00:03 EDT Mining Opioids   How do we know if our stockpiled respirators remain protective? What do we do with respirators stored beyond their manufacturer designated shelf life? Are shelf-life extension programs available for respirators?   If these questions sound familiar, we hope this follow-up blog to last year's "Tips for Managing Personal Protective Equipment in your Stockpile" will provide clarity to your stockpiling efforts. As a refresher before we dive in (we know it's been a while since the first blog on this topic), stockpiling essential personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important part of preparing for emergencies. However, stockpiled respirators may remain https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=761633 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/11/20/managing-stockpile-ppe/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:00:26 EDT Respirators   September is traditionally the start of harvest season across the country, and while these are busy times for our farmers, farmworkers, and farm families, it's a good reminder that safety and health are always the priorities. Agricultural workers have some of the highest rates of occupational injury and deaths, and also are at elevated risk of deaths by suicide. Agriculture sector workers also have high levels of economic hardship compared to other sectors. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a long history of research and prevention efforts to protect agricultural workers. If you live in https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=760267 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/09/22/harvest-osh/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 17:52:58 EST Agriculture   As of August 1, 2025, there are over 500 respirators with CBRN protections approved by NIOSH [NIOSH 2019], including: 436 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) approvals 22 air-purifying respirators (APRs) approvals 33 air-purifying escape respirators (APERs) approvals 8 powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) approvals NIOSH approves respirators that help protect emergency responders and workers from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards. These hazards can be encountered during disasters, emergencies, or intentional attacks. NIOSH recently released an updated version of its Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Respiratory Protection Handbook, previously updated in 2018. This handbook is a key resource for https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=760239 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/09/16/cbrn-handbook/ Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:51:41 EST Respirators When hurricanes and floods strike, the aftermath may be as dangerous as the storm itself. From unstable structures to contaminated water, flood-damaged areas pose serious risks to response teams and cleanup crews. Employers, volunteer organizations, and workers- from first responders to recovery workers-should take proper safety measures and receive targeted safety guidance to stay protected on the job. In May 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published the Hurricane and Flood Key Messages for Employers, Workers, and Volunteers, Third Edition. This preparedness and response resource provides guidance for public https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=760010 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/08/05/storm-cleanup-doc/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 15:51:22 EST National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   Critical minerals such as cobalt, copper and lithium, and the rare earth elements like cerium, neodymium and lanthanum are used in semiconductors, electric vehicles, aerospace components, and medical devices. Workers who mine these critical minerals are vital to our economy, national security, energy independence, and technological advancement. The Mining Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is uniquely positioned to help achieve President Trump's Executive Order-Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production-which aims "to facilitate domestic mineral production to the maximum possible extent."[1] Increased critical mineral extraction means more mines, new miners, new methodologies, and https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=759887 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/07/10/mining-critical-minerals/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:43:34 EST Mining   The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides information on our research in a variety of formats to reach different audiences. If a new document or research paper is released, you may see it on our website, summarized on our Science Blog, promoted on our social media channels, or explained in a video. Understanding what information was accessed by our users helps us to create better products in the future. This blog highlights the most accessed NIOSH information in 2024. The safety and health topics on these lists are varied and include heat stress, ladder safety, hearing https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=756563 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/01/15/products-2024/ Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:56:43 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   As fires continue in the Los Angeles area, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and National Center for Environmental Health and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are providing employers, workers, and the general public information to help stay protected from wildfire smoke. For those directly impacted, be sure to follow guidance from your local officials on the best ways to be prepared in the event that evacuation becomes necessary. Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases, vapors, and particles, some so small they can only be seen with a https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=756459 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/01/13/protecting-from-wildfire-smoke/ Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:17:44 EDT Respirators As we close out the year, we are taking a moment to reflect on and celebrate some of the notable achievements and significant progress the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has made in improving and protecting the health, safety, and well-being of workers across our nation. NIOSH used innovative ways to develop practical solutions to improve how workers can tell if their respirator is fitting properly. NIOSH's Respirator Fit Evaluation Challenge crowdsourced novel technologies and innovative approaches to improve respirator fit evaluation through a three-phase, $350,000 competition. Three winners presented a diverse range of solutions. The winning https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=756199 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2025/01/08/2024-reflections/ Wed, 08 Jan 2025 13:06:03 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] The advantages of a workforce populated with both men and women are well-documented and range from increased collaboration to greater productivity.[1] While other industries benefit from a balanced workforce (53% male), the fire service lags behind with the workforce remaining 91% male.[2][3] Many fire departments in the United States have faced challenges trying to attract women to their workforce.[4] In fact, even when compared to other workforces that were historically male dominated, the growth and inclusion of women in the fire service continues to lag despite more women entering the service.[5][6] For the fire service to experience the same benefits https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=755788 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/12/20/women-firefighters/ Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:00:41 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] Back injuries are one of the most common concerns to workers across numerous industries and occupations. These injuries resulted in 250,830 days away from work from 2021-2022. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), back injury cases accounted for about 40% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) involving days away from work. Repetitive heavy lifting or lifting in poor postures is one of the main contributing factors for back injuries in many review studies (Benard et al., 1997; National Research Council, 2001; da Costa et al., 2010). NIOSH saw a need to provide tools to help assess the risk https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=755303 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/12/04/nle-calc-2024/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 13:00:31 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   While logging is still considered a high-risk industry, the mechanization of work has contributed to critical safety improvements. When at one time most loggers performed manual felling, today a logger's workday is increasingly spent seated while operating heavy equipment. There is no doubt that mechanization has changed the industry in many ways. Researchers at the Northeast Center for Occupational Safety and Health in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (Northeast Center), one of twelve funded NIOSH Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health, have been working with loggers across the Northeast to understand today's health and safety concerns. Information has been gleaned https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=755266 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/12/03/logging-mechanization/ Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:06:33 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] Millions of workers across the United States rely on tight-fitting respirators to keep them safe on the job. These workers have a wide variability in facial features and dimensions, making it challenging to identify specific respirator models and sizes that will provide a proper fit. If a respirator does not properly fit, forming a tight seal against the wearer's face, then it may not provide the expected level of protection. Innovative solutions that let a respirator wearer know when the respirator's fit has been compromised are lacking. To foster the development of creative solutions, NIOSH launched a Respirator Fit Evaluation https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754995 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/11/26/respirator-fit-challenge/ Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:19:02 EDT Respirators   The final blog post in our series celebrating Native American Heritage Month highlights a free program available to anyone, including American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, employers, and workers. Some may not be aware of this service, though it has been part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Helath (NIOSH) around for over 50 years. Below, you will learn more about the Health Hazard Evaluation program and how it could address health and safety concerns that may be present in the most prominent industries in which AI/AN people were found to work (see blog post 2). And https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754964 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/11/25/aian-2024c/ Mon, 25 Nov 2024 12:00:14 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   This is the second blog post in our series celebrating Native American Heritage Month. It provides a general description of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) workforce using the NIOSH Employed Labor Force (ELF) Query System. Read the first blog post here. AI/AN workers are employed in various occupations and industries. Understanding where many AI/AN people work will help focus efforts to enhance workplace safety and health where AI/AN workers are employed. Why is it important to learn about what people do in their job? Some occupations and industries carry a higher risk of hazards, injuries, or illnesses. https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754853 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/11/21/aian-2024b/ Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:16:47 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes across the United States. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) workers play a crucial role in the U.S. workforce and economy, yet little is known about the hazards that AI/AN workers face. This is the first in a series of blog posts by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) honoring Native American Heritage Month. This post provides an overview of the NIOSH AI/AN Initiative and the AI/AN Worker Safety and Health Strategic Plan. We will also share examples of how NIOSH is working to advance the plan. The next https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754781 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/11/18/aian-2024a/ Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:57:14 EDT National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] Introduction At its core, automation is the use of technology to perform tasks that were once done by humans. Technology includes software, tools to automate workflows, and machinery. Some of the early examples of automation in construction are power tools. As technology progresses, construction automation has seen rapid progress over the last decade with the introduction of robots. These robots can do all sorts of tasks such as utility excavation and roadwork, bricklaying, drywall finishing as well as observation, figure 1. Robots can handle repetitive and labor-intensive tasks with greater speed and precision than humans. This is advantageous in construction https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754568 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/11/12/construction-robotics/ Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:05:55 EDT Construction Introduction No Shave November is a great opportunity to grow out your beard for a good cause. But if you rely on a tight-fitting respirator for work, that extra facial hair could pose a safety concern. Respirators protect workers from harmful particles, but their effectiveness depends on forming a tight seal against your skin. So, what does that mean for your growing beard during No Shave November? Let's dive into the world of beard bands, the Singh Thattha technique, and what NIOSH is doing to keep you safe-beard and all!   Facial Hair and Respirators - What You Need to Know https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754310 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/11/07/beards-and-respirators/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:54:46 EDT Respirators   Respirable crystalline silica (RCS), most commonly in the form of quartz, is a known health hazard in many industries. Exposure to RCS can lead to debilitating and incurable diseases. To minimize the risk of health effects associated with exposure, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a final rule for lowering miners’ exposure to RCS in April 2024. The final rule lowers the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for RCS to the level of the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) of 50 µg/m3 for a full shift, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) for all miners and creating https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754190 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/11/04/monitoring-rcs-mining/ Mon, 04 Nov 2024 13:38:24 EDT Mining Silica Forest operations, which include logging and other forestry activities (e.g., planting, thinning, fuels reduction, and wildland fire fighting), are a vital component of forest management. It is also one of the most dangerous places to work in the United States (U.S.). In 2022, there were 54 fatalities to logging workers. The work-related fatality rate for logging workers is 100.7 per 100,000 FTE,* which is more than 27 times higher than the rate for all occupations at 3.7 per 100,000 FTE. There have been many improvements over time that have contributed to improved safety for logging workers. Improved safety regulations and https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=754010 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/10/29/forest-operations/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 17:10:01 EST National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   October is National Ergonomics Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of designing workplaces to fit people better. Ergonomics focuses on creating tools, tasks, and environments that improve comfort, reduce injuries, and promote the health and well-being of workers. Ergonomics research and interventions can help prevent common workplace musculoskeletal injuries, such as back pain, sore muscles, and repetitive strain injuries. What ergonomics research is underway at NIOSH? NIOSH researchers are leading the way in musculoskeletal health as expert ergonomists. We analyze both physical and social aspects of work environments to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. MSDs https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=753970 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/10/28/ergonomics-2024/ Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:13:06 EST National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   Working alone is common in many industries and may introduce safety and health risks for workers. In 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) formed a partnership to improve safety and health for lone workers by developing and disseminating information about the risks of working alone and promising prevention strategies. What is lone work? NIOSH and OSHA do not currently have a standard definition of lone work. Based on information in the literature, and for the purpose of this blog, we are defining lone work as a potentially https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=753774 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/10/23/lone-workers/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:22:14 EST National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   Our goal in public health is to keep people safe from the hazards around them including in the workplace. If you are worried about lead or other possible hazards in your worksite, there is something you can do about it. There's a program for that The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Health Hazard Evaluation Program was created to alleviate and address these kinds of concerns. The program helps employees, unions, and employers recognize and control health hazards in their workplace. In the spirit of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we'd like to highlight three recent Health Hazard https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=753666 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/10/21/lead-hhe/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:15:24 EST National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH]   Workers who respond to roadway emergencies, such as vehicle crashes, can face multiple hazards. Working at roadway incidents frequently exposes responders to potentially being struck by passing motor vehicle traffic leading to serious injury or death. These secondary crashes during responses to roadway incidents contribute to about 50 emergency responder fatalities and injuries annually.[1][2] Additionally, crashes during roadway incident responses can cause extensive property damage to agency equipment, such as ambulances and fire apparatus.[3] To protect their workers and expensive equipment during roadway incident responses, the emergency medical services (EMS) and fire service are beginning to adopt the use of https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=753244 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/10/08/truck-mounted-attenuators/ Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:17:27 EST Motor Vehicle Safety   What someone does for work, and where and when they do it, can have broad health impacts. This includes direct effects from physical job exposures and hazards. Many aspects of work also affect health in other ways such as through sleep and eating patterns, social connectedness, mental health stressors, and access to benefits like health insurance and paid sick leave.1,2 These are called social determinants of health - non-medical factors that affect health outcomes.3 Why Does a Patient's Job Matter? Primary care providers (PCPs) see many work-related injuries and illnesses.4,5 As such, they have important roles in diagnosing and https://tools.cdc.gov/podcasts/download.asp?m=321948&c=753213 https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2024/10/07/primary-care-oh/ Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:58:27 EST Social Determinants of Health