The United States Environmental Protection Agency celebrated its 50th anniversary last Wednesday.
EPA was founded on December 2, 1970 by President Richard Nixon. The Environmental Protection Agency was created to protect the health of people and the environment. EPA’s goal is to ensure that national efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information. In addition, EPA must ensure that federal standards established to protect health and the environment are applied fairly and effectively.
The EPA is responsible for implementing and enforcing the environmental policy and may make grants for the development of projects to meet its objectives.
Since 1970, EPA has required that all pesticides be thoroughly reviewed and regulated before they are approved for use. When farmers, pest control companies, gardeners, or consumers need new tools to protect their homes, crops, and health, EPA reviews nearly 10 years of research data to ensure that these products are safe and effective. In addition, it also helps ensure that farmers can grow crops and that communities can control dangerous pests while protecting the environment and the health of the American people.
EPA’s strict regulatory process is the reason why only one in 10,000 pesticide discoveries make it from the lab to the farmer’s field. The work of EPA’s expert professional scientists supports this process, independent of the Administration, and helps ensure that pesticides are safe for human health and the environment before they can be sold.
