In a controversial move, the Trump administration is poised to cancel tens of millions of dollars in grants intended for research on environmental hazards impacting children in rural America. Internal emails from senior officials at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have surfaced, indicating a broader strategy to roll back established health protections as part of the administration's agenda.
The grants in question play a crucial role in addressing various health risks, including exposure to agricultural pesticides and wildfire smoke, along with ongoing investigations into “forever chemicals” that are infiltrating the food supply. According to an email drafted by Dan Coogan, a deputy assistant administrator at the EPA, agency leadership has directed staff to cancel all pending and active grants within vital programs, particularly the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) initiative.
Moreover, the cuts target the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) program, which supports college students in pioneering environmental solutions. In recent funding cycles, aspiring scientists have been developing innovative projects such as antiviral masks created from plastic waste and packaging that is entirely compostable.
As the administration continues to prioritize deregulation, these grant cancellations raise pressing questions regarding the long-term implications for research and public health initiatives that protect vulnerable populations, notably children exposed to environmental toxins.
