Which federal agency is responsible for protecting the environment and regulating asbestos waste?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for protecting the environment and regulating various pollutants, including asbestos waste. This agency plays a critical role in enforcing laws that ensure the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials to minimize environmental contamination and protect public health.

The EPA’s authority over asbestos is rooted in the Toxic Substances Control Act, which provides guidelines for the management and regulation of asbestos. The agency sets standards for asbestos-containing materials and has implemented regulations that apply to industries that handle or produce these materials.

The other options represent agencies with different primary missions: the Food and Drug Administration focuses on food safety and drug regulation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is dedicated to public health and disease prevention but does not specifically regulate environmental pollutants like asbestos, and the Department of Labor oversees labor-related matters including worker safety but does not regulate environmental issues directly. Therefore, the EPA is the correct answer due to its specific role in environmental protection with respect to asbestos.