Which organization is primarily responsible for regulating pesticides in the United States?

The correct choice is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is the primary regulatory authority for pesticides in the United States. The EPA's role in pesticide regulation is crucial because it involves evaluating and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of pesticides before they can be registered for use. This process includes reviewing data on risks to human health and the environment, and setting tolerance levels for pesticide residues on food products.

The EPA also enforces laws regarding pesticide distribution, sale, and use to ensure compliance with safety standards, thus safeguarding both public health and the environment. The agency's comprehensive framework not only establishes guidelines for pesticide application but also conducts periodic reviews of existing products to assess their safety as new data becomes available.

While other organizations play important roles in public health and safety—like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which focuses on workplace safety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees food safety and pharmaceuticals, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which primarily deals with public health concerns—the EPA is the designated body for specifically overseeing pesticide regulation and management in the agricultural and public use contexts.