In a move widely criticized by advocacy groups, leading researchers, and media observers, EPA chief Scott Pruitt announced he is shutting down an office critical to the protection of children’s health. The agency announcement to consolidate the office and change the functions of some employees could result in major disruptions to the National Center for Environmental Research, which is credited with policy changes that protected public health.

The center’s premiere program, Science To Achieve Results (STAR), provides grants to academic research centers to assess threats to children’s health from environmental factors and to identify prevention opportunities. A 2017 National Academy of Sciences report applauded the STAR program for its many successes, noting the “high scientific merit” of its efforts and highlighting its important role in informing policy to protect children. For example, one researcher noted the academic research centers were the first and only centers to uncover the relationship between prenatal exposure to flame retardants and IQ deficiencies in children.

While the EPA has claimed the grants will continue, leading researchers have raised questions about the commitment of this administration to chemicals research and children’s health.