Which organization regulates asbestos in public buildings?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the organization responsible for regulating asbestos in public buildings. The EPA's primary role involves implementing laws and regulations to protect human health and the environment, including oversight of asbestos management in public spaces.

The EPA's Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) specifically mandates that public and commercial buildings, such as schools, must comply with regulations regarding the inspection, management, and removal of asbestos to ensure the safety of occupants. This comprehensive approach is essential for controlling the risks associated with asbestos exposure, particularly in environments where the material was historically used extensively.

In contrast, while OSHA focuses on worker safety and health, including exposure limits for asbestos in the workplace, its regulations do not cover the same broad scope of public buildings that the EPA addresses. Similarly, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and provides recommendations regarding occupational safety practices but does not regulate asbestos. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily oversees food safety and medical products, making it unrelated to the regulation of asbestos in public buildings. Therefore, the EPA's targeted focus on asbestos regulations in the context of public buildings establishes it as the correct answer.