Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Definition

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency established in 1970 that is responsible for protecting human health and the environment. It develops and enforces regulations related to air quality, water quality, hazardous waste management, pesticides, and other environmental issues.

Related terms

Air Quality Index (AQI): The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index used by the EPA to measure daily air quality levels based on several pollutants. It provides information about potential health risks associated with different levels of air pollution.

Superfund Program: The Superfund program is administered by the EPA and focuses on cleaning up hazardous waste sites across the United States. It aims to protect human health and the environment by identifying contaminated sites, assessing risks, and implementing remediation actions.

Endangered Species Act (ESA):

The Endangered Species Act is a federal law enacted in 1973 that aims to protect endangered species from extinction due to human activities. The EPA plays a role in enforcing regulations related to protecting habitats critical for endangered species' survival.