Which agency focuses on ensuring safe manufacturing, use, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is primarily responsible for regulating and ensuring the safe manufacturing, use, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials. Its mission encompasses protecting human health and the environment, which includes oversight of hazardous waste management, air and water quality, and enforcing regulations that mitigate risks associated with chemical exposure.

Through various laws and regulations, the EPA establishes guidelines that help ensure hazardous materials are handled safely across different sectors, including industry and commercial settings. This extends to oversight of hazardous waste disposal sites and the implementation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which specifically governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

In contrast, while the other agencies play important roles in health and safety, they focus on different aspects. The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the safe transportation of hazardous materials but does not cover their manufacturing and disposal comprehensively. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) focuses on workplace safety and health standards, ensuring that workers are protected from hazards, including those related to hazardous materials. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and provides recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness, but does not have enforcement authority.

Thus, the EPA is the key agency that encompasses the