Which of the following criteria is used by EPA in establishing pesticide tolerances?

The criterion utilized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in establishing pesticide tolerances primarily relates to the toxicity of the pesticide itself and its breakdown products. This process involves assessing the potential health risks posed by exposure to these substances. The EPA evaluates data regarding how a pesticide behaves in the environment, its effects on humans and non-target organisms, including its metabolites which can be present after the pesticide has been applied and has started to break down.

This focus on toxicity is crucial because it helps ensure that the levels of pesticide residues allowed on food and in the environment are not harmful to human health or the ecosystem. The threshold set for tolerances reflects a balance between the necessity for effective pest management and the need to protect public health and safety.

The other options, while possibly related to pesticide use or consumer behavior, do not directly contribute to the establishment of tolerances by the EPA. Factors such as market volume or consumer preferences, though relevant for market dynamics and product development, do not inform the scientific assessment of safety and risk that underpin the regulatory framework for pesticide tolerances.