why was the epa created it was formed in response to widespread public environmental concerns that gained momentum in the 1950s and 1960s from the epa s creation it has sought to protect and conserve the natural environment and improve the health of humans by researching the effects of and mandating limits on the use of pollutants 
the epa regulates the manufacturing processing distribution and use of chemicals and other pollutants also the epa is charged with determining safe tolerance levels for chemicals and other pollutants in food animal feed and water the epa enforces its findings through fines sanctions and other procedures under the trump administration the epa s regulations of carbon emissions from power plants automobiles and other contributors to climate change instituted by president obama were significantly rolled back the epa s size and influence have also been diminished and criminal prosecutions for those who aren t following regulations are at a 30 year low the epa is led by the epa administrator a cabinet level post nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate that position is currently held by michael regan the first black man to ever hold that position he is expected to reverse many of the regulatory rollbacks of the trump administration examples of epa programsthe epa oversees several programs intended to promote energy efficiency environmental stewardship sustainable growth air and water quality and pollution prevention these programs include the epa protects human health and the environment with programs such as safer choice and the national pollutant discharge elimination system the epa also runs programs to