What action can the EPA take if tests determine a chemical is unsafe?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to take significant actions regarding chemicals that are determined to be unsafe for public health or the environment. When tests reveal that a chemical poses a hazard, the EPA can pull the chemical from the market, effectively banning its sale and use. This action is based on the agency's commitment to safeguard the health of individuals and the environment by mitigating the risks associated with dangerous substances.

This measure can be enforced under various regulatory frameworks, depending on the specific legislation governing the chemical in question, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which provides the EPA with the power to regulate chemicals deemed unsafe.

Other options, while relevant in discussions about chemical safety, do not reflect the primary action the EPA can take in response to safety concerns. For instance, simply increasing the usage of a chemical would contradict the goal of protecting public health. Mandatory public education is a proactive approach but does not remove the immediate risk posed by a hazardous substance. Labeling a chemical as a potential risk is an informative step but does not address the need to eliminate dangerous chemicals from the market. Therefore, pulling the chemical from the market is the most decisive and protective action the EPA can undertake in response to tests showing unsafety.