Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency created in 1970 by bringing together various federal pollution control activities that had been scattered among a number of federal departments and agencies. The EPA is involved with environmental problems of air and water pollution, solid-waste management, pesticides, radiation and noise. The EPA sets standards, determines how much pollution is tolerable, establishes timetables to bring polluters into line with its standards and enforces environmental laws. The EPA conducts an extensive environmental research program; provides technical, financial, and managerial help to state, regional and municipal pollution control agencies; and allocates funds for sewage-treatment facilities. The original authority of the EPA was broadened by passage of the Clean Air Amendments and the Resource Recovery Act in 1970; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments, the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act, the Noise Control Act and the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act in 1972; the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980. (See CERCLA, hazardous waste).
| APA | Barry Goldsmith. (2010). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/environmental_protection_agency_(epa)/definitions/1152999 |
| Chicago | Barry Goldsmith. 2010. "Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)" http://smartdefine.org/environmental_protection_agency_(epa)/definitions/1152999 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Barry Goldsmith 2010, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/environmental_protection_agency_(epa)/definitions/1152999>. |
| MLA | Barry Goldsmith. "Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)" 21 October 2010. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/environmental_protection_agency_(epa)/definitions/1152999> |