They were frozen. It was 28 degrees when they launched AFTER Morton Thiokol WARNED them not to fly. This guy is a conspiracy theory nut isn't he?
I agree, the o ring seal failure would not have been made healthy if there were some asbestose in the joint. Leaks are leaks and when they are this hot they grow. But he is not wrong about the change to "environmentally friendly" compounds and processes. All companies came under this edict in the Clinton years as a bone for the environmental support for the dems. Companies were encouraged to change processes or petition and prove there was no substitute process that would work. It did not matter if it did not work as well. Companies got recognition for not filing petitions. Nice, but finding good alternatives when the best one is taken away is always a problem. The result is many programs shouldered more risk. The shuttle being a good example.