The environmental situation is very complex, in Italy, and in particular, in
some areas (Naples and Caserta provinces) of the Campania region that have
experienced numerous problems correlated with hazardous waste management. In
particular, an area of Naples province has been referred to "Land of Fire" (LoF) (or
Terra dei fuochi-TdF) for the open burning of uncollected trash, including chemical
and other potentially hazardous waste. Different academic publications and the national
press have reported this dramatic situation. Findings from several articles suggest that
the toxic wastes dumping is destroying this land and in addition, it is seriously
damaging the health of the local population. Moreover, the high anthropization of these
provinces in association with the simultaneous presence and interaction of extremely
active volcanic, tectonic and morpho-dynamic phenomena increases the environmental
risk in this territory. In this scenario, the Ministry of Italian Health commissioned
epidemiological and geological studies to evaluate both contaminations of soil due to
illegal dumps and the health risks on the population in Campania. This chapter aims to
examine the epidemiological data considering a geochemical/environmental
perspective to better understand the correlation between the incidence of different
diseases (such as some cancers type) and the distribution patterns of contaminants.
Keywords: Anthropic pollution, Geology of Campania, Geological risks, Waste.
