Which agency is primarily responsible for monitoring and responding to environmental health hazards in the USA?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary agency responsible for monitoring and responding to environmental health hazards in the United States. The EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment by enforcing regulations and ensuring compliance with environmental laws. They oversee a wide range of issues, including air and water quality, hazardous waste management, and chemical safety.

The agency conducts research, provides information, develops regulations to limit pollutants, and assesses environmental conditions. Their efforts include monitoring environmental health hazards, such as controlling toxic substances and ensuring clean air and water, crucial for safeguarding public health.

Other agencies play important roles in health and safety but have different focuses. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health threats, like infectious diseases rather than environmental hazards specifically. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates food, drugs, and cosmetics to ensure safety but is not primarily involved with environmental health hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is concerned with workplace safety and health but does not have the broader environmental focus that the EPA has. Therefore, the EPA is the correct choice as it specifically addresses environmental health concerns on a national level.