Concealed by EPA interested in sign of something distressing (4)

I believe the answer is:

pain

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'sign of something distressing' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'concealed by epa interested' is the wordplay.
'concealed' indicates a hidden word.
'PAIN' can be found hidden inside 'by epa interested'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pain that I've seen before include "French bread?" , "Symptom of hurt or disorder" , "nuisance to be put up with" , "Hurt feeling" , "Suffering, ache" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.

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