Americans’ health is threatened to reduce staffing to the level of the 1980s after Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new cuts and warned its scientific research department, experts and advocacy groups.

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced Friday that the agency will reduce its budget to $300 million in fiscal 2026, as part of a broad overhaul he said aims to cut it to levels similar to the Reagan administration.

“Through the improvements of these organizations, we can ensure that the American people are committed to the EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment,” Selding said.

During a full-time meeting at the EPA on Friday, employees were told that 1,500 employees (ORD) of the Office of R&D (ORD) will be required to apply for about 400 newly formed positions. It is unclear what will happen to those employees who don’t have new positions.

Researchers warn that disbanding the research department will undermine scientific independence.

Laura Kate Bender, the American Lung Association’s National Vice President of Health Air, said: “Destruction… (ORD) is a loss of health.

“EPA’s air pollution rules work because they are based on science. It’s the office that makes it possible. ORD compiles and analyzes research to understand issues such as how much ozone is dangerous for breathing, and how many toxic air pollutants increase your risk of cancer.

"Having an independent office to do this work is not a mistake, but a function. It is important to put this work in a separate office because it ensures that science is impartial and objective. If the ORD cannot perform this analysis, there is a serious risk that future EPA standards will not be based on sound science or require meaningful cleanup."

The joint scientists said closing the scientific department of EPA that conducts independent research and folds it into a policy office will turn the EPA into a purely political institution.

"The demolition of the office, and the government's plan to reclassify scientists into political appointments ... is likely to turn a premier scientific institution into the president's political division," said Chitra Kumar, managing director of the union's climate and clean energy program.

The EPA also announced that it would dissolve its Office of Science and Technology, which would help develop scientific research and water policy guidelines.

It will also add 130 positions to the Office for Prevention of Chemical Safety and Pollution to review the backlog of 504 new chemicals and over 12,000 pesticides.

Reuters contributed to the story