Which federal agency regulates the use of pesticides in the United States?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency specifically responsible for regulating the use of pesticides in the United States. This agency administers the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which requires that all pesticides sold or distributed in the U.S. be registered with the EPA. This process involves a thorough review of the pesticide's effectiveness and safety to human health and the environment.

In addition to registration, the EPA evaluates the scientific data concerning potential risks associated with pesticide use, sets tolerance levels for pesticide residues on food, and investigates any cases of pesticide misuse. The agency's role ensures that pesticides are used safely and do not pose unnecessary risks to the environment and public health.

Other agencies like the Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration have important roles in various aspects of agriculture, health, and food safety, but the EPA is the key authority when it comes to the regulation of pesticides specifically.