The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is closing its Office of Research and Development, potentially impacting hundreds of employees. The office, which employs over 1,500 scientists and researchers across the United States, conducts vital research on environmental issues. The closure raises concerns about the future of environmental science and the EPA's ability to address pressing environmental challenges. The exact number of job losses and the specific reasons for the closure remain unclear, but the move signals a significant shift in the agency's priorities.