May 2025 Occupational Health Watch
NIOSH Closure Signals Major Setback for Occupational Health
We are deeply saddened to share that the recent federal restructuring has led to the closure of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) which is a monumental loss for the field of occupational and environmental health.
Nearly 900 staff positions and a wide range of critical programs have been eliminated. For decades, NIOSH served as a cornerstone for worker health and safety, and its absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. Programs that have now ended include:
- Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program – instrumental in identifying the resurgence of black lung disease in Central Appalachia.
- Health Hazard Evaluation Program – essential in uncovering the causes of novel occupational lung diseases, including those linked to synthetic flavorings, flock, and indium-tin oxide.
- National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) – responsible for certifying the respirators used by workers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
- Groundbreaking research – NIOSH data informed OSHA and MSHA regulations to limit exposure to inhaled toxicants like silica, coal dust, and beryllium.
- National Firefighter Registry for Cancer – the largest initiative aimed at understanding cancer risks among firefighters.
- State-based surveillance support – vital in uncovering outbreaks of work-related diseases, such as artificial stone silicosis among California countertop workers.
- Training and extramural funding – key in developing the next generation of occupational health professionals and supporting critical research and outreach.
Email OHW@cdph.ca.gov with feedback about this update or change of address.