The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed the Director of the Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP) on administrative leave without explanation. Critics fear the move could signal a desire to close the office, which the EPA denies. Sources within the EPA claim the action is the latest attempt to undermine the Office. A multi-agency study on childhood lead exposure, undertaken by the OCHP February, has allegedly been delayed by the Trump administration. In last year, it was disclosed that the EPA was merging a federal office that tests the effects of chemical exposure with three other offices.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed the Director of the Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP) on administrative leave without explanation. Critics fear the move could signal a desire to close the office, which the EPA denies. Sources within the EPA claim the action is the latest attempt to undermine the Office. A multi-agency study on childhood lead exposure, undertaken by the OCHP last year, has allegedly been delayed by the Trump administration. In February, it was disclosed that the EPA was merging a federal office that tests the effects of chemical exposure with three other offices.