Pest Control Technician Practice Exam

Which agency is responsible for regulating pesticide use in the United States?

1. Department of Environmental Conservation

2. Food and Drug Administration

3. Environmental Protection Agency

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The correct answer is: Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency responsible for regulating pesticide use in the United States. The EPA oversees the registration, distribution, and use of pesticides to ensure they are safe for human health and the environment. Their regulatory framework aims to safeguard against potential risks associated with pesticide exposure and ensures that products meet specific safety standards before they can be marketed and used. The EPA conducts risk assessments and establishes guidelines related to the application of pesticides in various contexts, including agricultural, residential, and public settings. Through this regulatory process, the agency helps ensure that pesticides do not pose unreasonable risks to people or the environment. Other agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), focus on food safety and the approval of food additives but do not handle pesticide regulation directly. The Department of Environmental Conservation typically works at the state level to manage environmental resources and enforce related regulations, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health and disease prevention rather than pesticide regulation.