Cancer mortality and congenital anomalies in a region of Italy with intense environmental pressure due to waste

Abstract

Although the causal nature of the association is uncertain, findings support the hypothesis that waste-related environmental exposures in Campania produce increased risks of mortality and, to a lesser extent, CAs.

Wasting lives: The effects of toxic waste exposure on health. The case of Campania, Southern Italy

“…In these areas, the presence of numerous dumping sites (both legal and illegal) has been repeatedly documented. [8][9][10][11][12]22 Though suggestive of a contributory role of waste exposure in determining health outcomes in the identified areas, these findings are far from being conclusive relatively to the causative nature of the association observed. In the first place, the adopted study designs do not allow causal inference.…”

“…Assuming that mortality reductions would be displayed 20 years after remediation, and that they will last for 30 years, Guerriero and Cairns estimated that reclaiming the hazardous waste sites present in the two provinces of Naples and Caserta would produce a monetary benefits of €11.6 billion (range: €5.4-20 billion). 10,15 In 2010, Alberini et al revisited the Guerriero and Cairns study applying both VPF values and discount rate estimated in Italy to the specific context of hazardous waste exposure. Using parameters specific to the Italian context, the study concluded that the potential monetary benefits achievable through waste sites cleanup was even greater than that reported by Guerriero and Cairns: €12.936 billion.…”

“…Risk estimates were adjusted for deprivation index, which was itself associated with several mortality outcomes in both genders. 21 The use of a composite index as useful tool for the identification and characterization of areas where health risks from waste exposure are particularly high is the goal of a recent analysis conducted by Musmeci et al Based on the assessment of a synthetic waste risk index (SWRI) computed at a municipality level throughout a multistep approach, the municipalities located along ©2 0 1 1 L a n d e s B i o s c i e n c e .…”

“…Results from a number of recently conducted studies have shown significantly increased cancer mortality (overall and site specific) and congenital malformation rates in the Provinces of Naples and Caserta compared to the expected figures from the regional population. [8][9][10] In the highlighted areas (i.e., the northern part of the Naples Province and the southern part of the Caserta Province), illegal dumping of toxic wastes has been largely documented. In 1998, Agroaversano and Litorale Domizio, the two areas in Campania most affected by illegal dumping and burning, were included in the national priority list of reclamation sites.…”

“…Zone A, B and C were defined at intense, medium and low environmental pressure, respectively. 10,22,33 When performing analyses, data subsets were compared by numerous variables, including areas differing by degree of environmental pressure due to waste (i.e. zones A, B and C).…”