By John Bowden and Miranda Green - 09/26/18 09:54 AM EDT
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.