Chemistry vs. Bureaucracy

A whistleblowing chemist who warned first-responders to 9/11 lost her job at the EPA in 2010. She had been accusing the EPA of downplaying hazards associated with rubble and was repeatedly harassed for calling attention to his until she finally was sacked.

The dangers that she was calling attention to were high pH levels in caustic dust that was so corrosive that it caused chemical burns in the firefighters' lungs. The dangers might have been avoided if the rescue workers had been provided with adequate protective gear.

On May 7th this year, she was awarded her job back (with back pay!) by a federal court.