Here's a thought:

The EPA banned CCA pressure treated lumber a couple years ago, though the actual ban is currently on hold and one can still purchase CCA lumber at any building supply store.

Obviously, both lumber companies and wood treatment plants are worried about the ban and are certainly seeking other ways to treat lumber that would pass EPA specifications.

Since paint is itself a mild form of wood treatment, it wouldn't be very difficult for the Polymer Science people to redirect their research in the effort to find a replacement for CCA.  Now, this wouldn't be a bad thing, but given the level of corruptness Klumb and Thames maintain (both covert and overt), I'm sure that if they are investigating this, they're doing so to line their own pockets with patent monies.  Furthermore, this could be the reason Thames was installed as president and the reason Klumb steadfastly refuses to fire him.

Just a thought.