Gowanus

Was just reading the story on National gird suing other companies to pay their fair share to clean this toxic canal up. I also saw the stories about people basements near this canal having to be vented because of the toxic fumes also.
Why would anyone build new housing near this canal .I know one affordable.housung building went.up.I believe a market rate building has also been built .How could someone even think to build on this spot and allow people to live there with the danger s they maybe exposed to .