Which organization sets safety standards for pesticide use in the United States?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary organization responsible for setting safety standards for pesticide use in the United States. This is due to the EPA’s mandate to regulate substances that may impact human health and the environment, including the evaluation of potential risks associated with pesticide formulations and their application. The agency reviews the effectiveness, safety, and environmental impact of pesticides before they can be registered for use.

The EPA establishes guidelines and regulations that pesticide manufacturers must follow to ensure that their products are safe for the intended use and do not pose unacceptable risks. This includes risk assessments, labeling requirements, and guidelines for safe usage to protect agricultural workers, consumers, and the environment.

While the FDA, USDA, and OSHA all play important roles in food safety, agriculture, and worker protection, respectively, their responsibilities do not include the specific regulation of pesticide safety standards in the same way that the EPA oversees them. The FDA focuses on ensuring that food products are safe and free from harmful pesticide residues, the USDA is involved in agricultural production and promoting sustainable farming practices, and OSHA is dedicated to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for employees, which can intersect with pesticide use but does not encompass pesticide safety standards directly.