Who sets the pesticide's restricted entry interval (REI)?

• A. EPA
• B. FDA
• C. OSHA
• D. State Department of Agriculture

Answer: (A)

The restricted entry interval is the waiting period after a pesticide is applied during which entry is restricted to protect people from exposure. This interval is set by the EPA and appears on the pesticide label because EPA evaluates toxicology and exposure data to determine safe entry times for workers and bystanders. The FDA handles residues in food, not entry intervals; OSHA governs general workplace safety but doesn’t establish product-specific REIs; and state Departments of Agriculture enforce labeling within a state but do not determine the REI itself. So, the EPA is responsible for setting the REI that appears on the label.