HEALTH EFFECTS LABORATORY DIVISION

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NIOSH is the U.S. federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations to 

prevent worker injury and illness. NIOSH was established under the Occupational Safety 

and Health Act of 1970. It is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information

The Health Effects Laboratory Division (HELD) is a 

part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH). HELD conducts basic and applied 

laboratory research focused on evaluating, controlling 

and preventing workplace safety and health hazards. 

The division has the following goals:

• Conduct occupational-related laboratory

research in the areas of immunology, allergy, and

inflammation.

• Provide statistical design, analysis, and

interpretation for experimental research and

conduct collaborative observational research

focused on introducing new laboratory- based

technology into population-based studies.

• Conduct applied research and establish new

methods to identify and assess occupational

exposures using a variety of approaches including

direct reading instruments, sensors, and analytical

methods.

• Research new and improved techniques to assess

the exposure of workers to chemical, physical, and

biological hazards.

• Perform occupational-related research in the area

of pathology and physiology.

• Develop realistic models that simulate work

activities to better understand exposure response

relationships in the workplace.

• Investigate the biological factors responsible for

occupational health problems.

Technology & Product Highlights

NIOSH Manual of Analytic Methods (NMAM)

NMAM is a collection of methods for sampling and 

analysis of contaminants in workplace air, on workplace 

surfaces, and in the blood and urine of workers who are 

occupationally exposed. www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam

Acoustic Particle Generation System

The acoustic particle generation system is based on a 

NIOSH patented technology and is used to investigate 

health effects of occupationally relevant nanoparticles 

and dusts.

Finger Adapter Method

This method evaluates finger 

protection for workers using 

vibration reducing (VR) gloves. VR 

gloves are used to protect workers 

from hand-transmitted vibration 

exposure when using power hand 

tools. The current ISO standard 

assesses the effectiveness of VR 

gloves at the palm of the hand, 

but does not directly assess 

protection of the fingers. This 

method has proven to be a 

convenient and reliable method 

and a valuable addition to the 

current standard. 

Personal Bioaerosol Cyclone Sampler

This licensed technology 

collects airborne particles from 

the environment into relevant 

respiratory size and into 

appropriate tubes to facilitate 

analysis. The air entering 

the sampler swirls like a cyclone, sticking the airborne 

particles against the sampler’s walls. Particle size 

determines where the particles will deposit in the lungs 

and how dangerous they are to the worker’s health. The 

sampler and its sister designs have been used to study 

many types of airborne hazards.

www.cdc.gov/niosh/contact/im-held.html

(304) 285-6121
Find NIOSH products and get answers to workplace safety and health questions:

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | TTY: 1-888-232-6348

CDC/NIOSH INFO: cdc.gov/info | cdc.gov/niosh

Monthly NIOSH eNews: cdc.gov/niosh/eNews

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted.

https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019134

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-134

May 2019

OUR SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AREAS

Neurotoxicology

Genomics and 

Biomarkers

Epidemiology of 

Subclinical Measures

Occupational 

Immunology

Inhalation Toxicology 

and Respiratory Disease

OUR STAFF

HELD has 199 full-time positions and has offices and labs in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Staff have experience in the following areas:

Biostatistics and Epidemiology: Epidemiologist I Psychologist I Statistician

Engineering: Biomechanical/Biomedical/Computer/Mechanical/Industrial Engineers I Computer Scientist Informatics

Exposure Assessment: Chemical Engineer I Chemist I Environmental Health Specialist I Physical Chemist I Industrial Hygienist

Pathology: Biologist I Physical Scientist I Pathology Technician I Physiologist I Veterinary Medical Officer

Quality Assurance: Laboratory Quality Coordinator

Toxicology: Biologist I Pharmacologist I Toxicologist

Support: Medical Technologist I Public Health Analyst I Visual Information Specialist

Musculoskeletal 

Disorders Control

Nanotoxicology Biostatistics Analysis

Infectious Disease 

Transmission

Exposure Assessment

Center for Direct Reading and Sensor Technology

This center coordinates research and develops 

recommendations on the use of new technologies in 

occupational safety and health. 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/drst

Immune, Infectious and Dermal Disease 

Prevention Program

This program includes the study of work-related immune 

diseases, such as irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, allergic 

rhinitis, asthma, or infectious disease, caused by work-related 

exposures. It also includes workplace exposures to chemicals 

that can be absorbed through contact with skin that may result 

in adverse health impacts. 

www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/iid

Centers and Programs