What is the main responsibility of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZDEQ)?

The primary responsibility of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZDEQ) is to monitor compliance with environmental laws. This involves ensuring that individuals, businesses, and governmental entities adhere to local, state, and federal environmental regulations to protect natural resources and public health. The AZDEQ evaluates environmental conditions, enforces regulations concerning air and water quality, waste management, and other environmental aspects, and takes corrective actions as necessary to uphold environmental standards.

In contrast to the correct answer, overseeing biomedical research involves different agencies focused on health and scientific research rather than environmental oversight. Conducting workplace safety inspections generally falls under the jurisdiction of occupational health and safety agencies, not environmental agencies. Regulating food safety is typically managed by food and agricultural departments, which focus on ensuring safe food supply chains rather than broader environmental compliance.