[Jael]

Yes, I did notice that. They keep focusing on the tiles, but only a few are breaking the enviroment foam issue. (While still discussing the foam itself.)

NASA was probably pressured by the EPA to do it. (Just a guess.)

[the_doc]

NASA was probably pressured by the EPA to do it. (Just a guess.)

It may be simpler than that. It may have been a matter of compliance with regulatory law. Even if the regs entertained exemptions (and I assume that an exception could have been made under the regs), we would need more info as to what NASA knew about the adhesion problems.