Which agency oversees the transportation of hazardous materials in the U.S.?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the agency responsible for overseeing the transportation of hazardous materials in the United States. This includes establishing regulations and guidelines that ensure the safe and compliant transport of hazardous materials by all modes of transportation, including road, rail, air, and water. The DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) specifically manages the regulations related to hazardous materials and ensures that both shippers and carriers adhere to safety standards to prevent accidents and protect public health and the environment.

In this context, while agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) do play significant roles in environmental protection and workplace safety, respectively, their primary focus is not on transportation regulations for hazardous materials. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) primarily regulates air travel and navigational safety, but it does not encompass all modes of hazardous materials transportation as the DOT does. Hence, the DOT’s jurisdiction is what makes it the correct choice for overseeing hazardous materials transport.