Dateline: Apr 1

This week Dateline looks at a massive upsurge in cancer rates on the outskirts of Naples.

Almost two thousand years after the destruction of Pompeii, those who reside on the foothills of Mt Vesuvius are facing another catastrophe, but this time the threat is entirely man-made.

There are fears that up to twenty million tonnes of toxic industrial and chemical waste have been dumped illegally on the outskirts of Naples, with poisonous fumes seeping from the soil.

The effects have been devastating on Italy’s third-largest city, with claims of a massive upsurge in cancer rates. Childhood cancer rates amongst the worst impacted areas are now double that of the rest of Italy.

Anger is now being directed towards those responsible for the control of waste disposal, Italy’s notorious Mafia, with the toxic dumping allegedly being one of the mob’s highest-earning ventures.

Nick Lazaredes talks exclusively with former mafia boss turned police informant, Carmine Schiavone, who gives disturbing details about massive toxic waste disposal, including a claim that radioactive waste has been buried in the ocean near the Isle of Capri.

Tuesday at 9.30pm on SBS ONE.