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Which agency is responsible for regulating pesticide sales and use to protect public health and the environment?

  1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  2. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  3. Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)

  4. Pest Control Board (PCB)

The correct answer is: Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)

The agency primarily responsible for regulating pesticide sales and use to protect public health and the environment is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA oversees the registration of pesticides, ensuring they meet safety and efficacy standards before they can be sold and used in the United States. While the Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays an important role in agricultural standards and practices, and agencies like the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) oversee state-level regulation and enforcement of pesticide laws, the overarching authority lies with the EPA. It establishes nationwide regulations and guidelines to protect human health and the environment from potential pesticide-related hazards. The Pest Control Board (PCB) typically refers to local or state boards that may focus on specific pest control practices but do not have the same comprehensive regulatory powers as the EPA. Therefore, the EPA serves as the key regulatory body in this context, enforcing laws that govern pesticide use at a national level.