The United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA is one of the federal government agencies in the country dedicated in the protection of human health and the environment. They perform extensive research on how to improve health and the proper way to care for the environment. The agency writes and enforces regulations, ensuring that laws regarding health and the environment are carried out across the United States.
What the EPA does
The EPA is involved in implementing different government legislations that help protect the environment to maintain and improve human condition. The EPA is responsible for implementing government legislations on:
Air
The EPA, together with other government agencies, sees to it that all legislations that improve the air quality of the environment are being followed by car companies, factories, and all other businesses that may contribute to air pollution.
Water
The EPA helps safeguard the country’s water supply and all bodies of water in its territory to maintain or improve its natural quality. They are responsible in making sure that drinking water supply in every community is healthy and does not contain toxic elements.
Land
The agency is also responsible in making sure that all land resources in the country are safe at all times. They help educate people that cultivate food about the hazards of pesticides and other chemicals to ensure that food quality are at their best. They are also responsible in preserving the wild and other land areas that are of national interest.
Endangered species
The EPA is responsible in helping the government implement its laws regarding endangered species that are found within its territory.
Hazardous waste
Hazardous waste can easily get mixed in the air, water, land, or affect those that are working in factories that handle such waste. The EPA is responsible in educating and implementing guidelines to different industries that handle hazardous waste to ensure the safety of workers and the environment.
Programs
The EPA initiates different programs to help local agencies implement and follow environmental protection laws. Among EPA’s programs include:
- Energy Star – a program that promotes energy efficiency.
- Pesticide – regulates and registers all pesticides sold in the country.
- Environmental Impact Statement Review – reviews all environmental impact statements done by federal agencies under the NEPA.
- Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative – promotes and recognizes leaders who use non-polluting compounds like surfactants that easily breakdown in water to protect marine life.
- Fuel Economy – requires all automobile companies in the US to provide a fuel economy test for all vehicles, which is taken during a vehicle’s Clean Air Act compliance test.
- Air Quality – aims to improve models and techniques on determining air pollution and how to eliminate the problem.
One of the objectives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to ensure that the environment is preserved and well-maintained in order to provide a healthy place for all communities across the country.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency
