Final answer:
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) specifically allows the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the handling and disposal of hazardous waste, ensuring its safe management from 'cradle to grave'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The law that specifically allows the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the handling and disposal of hazardous waste is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
RCRA was enacted by Congress in 1976, and it provides the EPA with the authority to establish a comprehensive regulatory program for the management of hazardous waste. Under RCRA, the EPA developed regulations to ensure that hazardous waste is managed safely from 'cradle to grave,' meaning from its creation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal.
For example, the EPA's hazardous waste regulations require companies that generate hazardous waste to obtain a permit, maintain proper labeling and recordkeeping, and follow specific management and disposal procedures. These regulations help protect human health and the environment by minimizing the risks associated with hazardous waste handling and disposal.