title: Wasting lives: the effects of toxic waste exposure on health. The case of Campania, Southern Italy.
abstract: Three decades of illegal practices of waste dumping and consequent environmental abuse have made the Campania region of Southern Italy a unique case in the context of waste-related health outcomes. Scientific evidence is mounting in support of a significant increase in cancer mortality and malformation occurrence in specific areas of the Campania region, where improper waste management and illegal waste trafficking have been repeatedly documented. However, the currently available evidence suffers from limitations mainly due to study design, lack of consideration of confounders and quality of the exposure data. Recent economic studies have shown the economic benefits of reclaiming toxic waste sites in Campania. Future perspectives include the adoption of different study designs, use of biomarkers and a molecular approach. Current knowledge, both scientific and economic, might be of help in orienting the short and long term governmental policy on waste related health outcomes at a regional level.
authors: Human Health Foundation, Terni, Italy.
authors: Maddalena
authors: M
authors: Barba
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Mazza
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Guerriero
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Di Maio
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Romeo
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Maranta
authors: Ignazio R
authors: IR
authors: Marino
authors: Marco G
authors: MG
authors: Paggi
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Giordano
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D007558:Italy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006256:Hazardous Waste; D007220:Industrial Waste