> why such a hazardous site was allowed to be built so near people in the first place. I don't know about this specific case, but the chronology is usually rev

> why such a hazardous site was allowed to be built so near people in the first place. I don't know about this specific case, but the chronology is usually reversed. Someone gets a permit and builds a hazardous factory somewhere suitably close to a city that it has access to transportation and employees, but far enough to be safe, with adequate safety areas. Then, over time, the city needs more room and since the factory hasn't blown up yet, it seems safe enough to expand right up to it...