Deadly '99 blast is safety lesson By Romy Varghese, Of The Morning Call
The crater is gone. The hazardous chemicals are cleaned up.
New buildings on the site just north of Allentown give no hint of the destruction, the showering of debris over homes of frightened residents, the loss of five lives.
But the explosion five years ago today at Concept Sciences Inc. in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, has left a legacy that can be felt from Hanover to Harrisburg to beyond.
It spurred tougher state reporting rules for companies that work with large amounts of hazardous materials. It galvanized county emergency officials to create a special rescue team and streamline radio communications. It led the township to make sure it knows all about the chemicals local manufacturers use.
The disaster also inspired creation of a local chemical industry group that meets regularly to share information on safety and new rules.