Aim: Aim of the study is to investigate mortality for lymphoematopoietic tumours and soft tissue sarcoma of people resident near an urban waste incinerator.
Materials and methods: We have considered death certificates recorded by National Statistical Institute (ISTAT) for the period 1981-2001 of the residents in 277 municipalities included in a circle of 80 km of radius centered at Campi Bisenzio municipality. Mortality data have been analyzed by calendar period (1981-1985, 1986-1992, 1993-2001) and by specific causes of death. In particular we have considered mortality for soft tissue sarcoma and lymphoematopoietic tumours. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) have been evaluated for each calendar period using the population of the circle as standard population.
Results: Our findings point out that males resident in Campi Bisenzio municipality had a higher risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the period 1986-1992, with 14 observed cases versus 7.6 expected (SMR 184.2 CI 90% 111-273). The excess risk is present also for all Lymphomas with 18 cases versus 9.07 expected. In the same period, in Campi Bisenzio, we observed 2 deaths for soft tissue Sarcoma.
Conclusion: The study shows the presence of a localized cluster of deaths for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, for males, in the calendar period 1986-1992. In the same municipality an urban waste incinerator was operating from 1973 to 1986, when it was closed following evidence of dioxin soil contamination.