In a move that raises concerns about public health, the Trump administration is canceling tens of millions of dollars in grants aimed at addressing environmental hazards, especially for children in rural areas.
Trump Administration to Halt Key Environmental Research Grants
Trump Administration to Halt Key Environmental Research Grants
The E.P.A. plans to cancel crucial grants aimed at protecting vulnerable children from toxic chemicals and other health risks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) is set to terminate pending and active research grants according to internal communications from agency officials. This decision appears to align with the administration's ongoing efforts to roll back key environmental protections. The grants affected include funds intended for research on the impacts of pesticides, wildfire smoke exposure, and the pervasive issue of "forever chemicals" that threaten the food supply.
Internal emails, including one from E.P.A. Deputy Assistant Administrator Dan Coogan dated April 15, explicitly instructed agency staff to cancel various important programs, including the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) initiative, which supports long-term, impactful environmental research. Another program at risk is People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3), which helps students design sustainable solutions, such as biodegradable packaging and antiviral masks developed from plastic waste.
The cancellation of these grants represents a significant shift away from supporting scientific research that addresses pressing environmental concerns, sparking fears over potential increases in public health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children exposed to harmful substances in their environments.
Internal emails, including one from E.P.A. Deputy Assistant Administrator Dan Coogan dated April 15, explicitly instructed agency staff to cancel various important programs, including the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) initiative, which supports long-term, impactful environmental research. Another program at risk is People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3), which helps students design sustainable solutions, such as biodegradable packaging and antiviral masks developed from plastic waste.
The cancellation of these grants represents a significant shift away from supporting scientific research that addresses pressing environmental concerns, sparking fears over potential increases in public health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children exposed to harmful substances in their environments.
