What margin of safety does the EPA use to set tolerances for pesticides?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) utilizes a margin of safety of 100 times when determining tolerances for pesticides. This margin is a precautionary measure to account for uncertainties in data and potential variability in human exposure to pesticide residues.

By applying a 100-fold safety factor, the EPA ensures that the permissible levels of these substances in food or the environment remain within a safe range, significantly protecting vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women. This approach is rooted in a risk assessment process that assesses potential human health effects, emphasizing a conservative stance to prioritize public safety in regulatory decisions concerning pesticides.