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About OPPTS
The Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) plays an important role in protecting public health and the environment from potential risk of pesticides and toxic chemicals for now and for generations to come. We promote pollution prevention through innovative partnerships and collaboration. We evaluate pesticides to safeguard all Americans, including children, ensure pesticides used on food are safe, and protect the environment and ecosystems. Dealing with emerging issues like endocrine disruptors and lead poisoning prevention are top priorities.
The Office of Pesticide Programs(OPP) regulates the use of all pesticides in the United States and establishes maximum levels for pesticide residues in food, thereby safeguarding the nation's food supply. EPA has expended access to information on risk assessment and risk management actions to help increase transparency of decisionmaking and facilitate consultation with the public and affected stakeholders. In addition to its regulatory functions, OPP's programs include providing information and coordination on issues ranging from worker protection to prevention of misuse of pesticides. OPP participates in a variety of partnerships related to pesticide use, including the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, a voluntary private and public partnership dedicated to reducing pesticide use and risk, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools.
The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) promotes the use of safer chemicals, processes, and technologies; promotes life-cycle management of environmental problems such as asbestos; advances pollution prevention through voluntary action by industry. Through the High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge program, for example, OPPT is working voluntarily with industry and others to make basic hazard data available to the public on over 2,200 chemicals used in high volume in the United States, and to identify and evaluate chemicals of particular concern to children's health.
The Office of Science Coordination and Policy (OSCP) provides coordination, leadership, peer review, and synthesis of science and science policy within OPPTS. OSCP aims to assure sound scientific decisions are made regarding safe pesticide and chemical management through the leadership of the Scientific Advisory Panel. OSCP also coordinates emerging exposure and hazard assessment topics such as endocrine disruptors and biotechnology.
