Cancer treatments up 50% in Taranto near ILVA

The southern Italian city of Taranto's ASL health department has recorded a 50% jump in admissions for cancer treatments, authorities said Wednesday. The increase, recorded in the first six months of this year, was compared with the same period in 2011 and reported by the officials in charge of pharmaceutical expenditures for regional ASL health clinics near the ILVA steelworks, Rossella Mosogiuri. The report comes as the troubled ILVA steel plant in Taranto is fighting for its industrial life amid accusations that for more than a dozen years it has unleashed dangerous pollution into the area. Health studies released last month by critics of ILVA suggested some cancer risks in the area are as much as 306% higher than normal. Those studies suggested a 24% higher risk than normal for developing cancer of the liver and of the lungs, a 38% heightened risk for lymphoma and a 306% greater risk for developing a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Prosecutors have ordered ILVA - accused of serious environmental and health violations - to curb production while the company upgrades its facilities to higher pollution standards. The move has been fought by the Italian government, the company and unions at the plant whose members fear for their jobs. The Italian parliament passed a decree on Wednesday to begin clean ups in the area around the ILVA plant.