Which agency is primarily responsible for overseeing biosafety in laboratory settings?

The agency primarily responsible for overseeing biosafety in laboratory settings is the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH plays a critical role in developing and enforcing guidelines for the safe use of biological materials in research, specifically through its Office of Biotechnology Activities. This office implements the guidelines that ensure the safety and welfare of researchers, the environment, and the public from potentially hazardous biological agents.

In the context of laboratory biosafety, the NIH's biosafety and biosecurity programs encompass a broad range of activities, including the approval of biosafety levels for research facilities, risk assessments, and development of best practices to mitigate risks associated with biological research.

The Environmental Protection Agency focuses primarily on environmental protection and regulations concerning pollutants, not specifically laboratory biosafety. The Department of Agriculture's role mainly revolves around agricultural products and health, while the Food and Drug Administration oversees the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices but does not have a primary regulatory focus on laboratory biosafety.