What safety factor does the EPA use for establishing tolerance levels?

The safety factor that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employs for establishing tolerance levels is 100 times. This factor is used to account for uncertainties in data regarding the potential effects of chemical exposure on human health and the environment, especially when assessing risks to sensitive populations such as children and pregnant women. By incorporating this 100-fold safety factor, the EPA aims to provide a significant margin of protection by assuming that the effects on these sensitive groups could be greater than what might be predicted from studies conducted primarily on adult male populations. This conservative approach ensures that established safety levels are protective enough to mitigate potential risks, fostering public safety and health in the application of pesticides and other chemicals.