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News — Philadelphia (USA), April 18, 2025 - A new scientific study has revealed alarming levels of toxic elements in the infamous 'Land of Fires' in Campania, an area known for having one of the highest cancer rates in Europe, even in zones previously considered uncontaminated. The research, published in Science of the Total Environment, used moss Scorpiurum circinatum as a bioindicator to monitor air pollution. Shockingly, the moss accumulated high concentrations of arsenic, mercury, lead, and other potentially toxic elements both in an industrial site and in a rural area of Campania, highlighting the devastating impact of pollution from illegal toxic waste fires. These findings come in the wake of a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which condemned Italy for its mismanagement of the Land of Fires, recognizing an 'imminent' risk to the lives of the local population.

Study Details and Key Findings

The study was conducted by a team from the University of Naples 'Federico II in collaboration with the Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) at the College Science and Technology, Temple University. Researchers used 'moss bags,' small pouches containing samples of S. circinatum moss capable of absorbing airborne pollutants, placing them at six locations across two test areas in Campania. One site was the forest surrounding the Royal Palace of Carditello, a non-urbanized estate with minimal human activity; the other was an industrial area in the municipality of Giugliano in Campania, one of the epicenters of illegal waste disposal. As a benchmark, a remote mountainous location (Mount Faito) with no source of pollution was chosen as an experimental control sample. The moss bags were exposed for 21, 42, and 63 days. Afterward, the samples were analyzed for seven toxic elements: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and antimony (Sb); additional analysis focused on cellular damage and oxidative stress in plant tissues.

Findings

Moss samples from Carditello and Giugliano absorbed significant amounts of pollutants, while the control samples from Mount Faito remained virtually clean. After just three weeks of exposure in the Land of Fires sites, the moss already contained substantial levels of contaminants, for example, arsenic reached approximately 2.2 mg per kg of tissue, copper 17 mg/kg, and mercury 0.06 mg/kg. These levels were sufficient to trigger biological reactions in the moss, including oxidative stress, activation of antioxidant defenses, and visible ultrastructural cell damage. The fact that the moss showed signs of distress after such a short exposure is an alarming signal: it indicates that breathing air in these areas, even for limited periods, can cause cellular-level stress in living organisms.

A critical finding is that the degree of contamination and biological damage in the moss was similar in both areas, despite one being a low-impact green zone and the other an industrial site. This means that toxic fumes from waste fires are not confined to nearby landfills but are dispersing widely through the environment. As co-author Dr. Adriana Basile points out, “There is no place preserved and safe for the environment and human health' in the affected area. In other words, even areas that appear 'clean' are now compromised by widespread contamination.”

Dr Iris Maria Forte, who previously studied the Terra dei Fuochi as part of the SHRO Veritas project, confirms the impact of the research, saying, “This study provides confirmation on the severity of pollution and the need for immediate action.”

One Health Perspective

The implications of these results go beyond environmental science and directly affect public health, aligning with the One Health approach. One Health recognizes that human health is closely connected to the health of ecosystems and animals. By showing that even plant life suffers toxic effects, the study highlights a domino effect across the ecosystem. If stationary moss can absorb poisons and show signs of biological distress within weeks, we can only imagine the chronic exposure endured by local residents over years or decades. The authors emphasize that the damage observed in the moss 'reflects the potential health risk' for the local population constantly exposed to toxic fumes, underlining the urgent need for remediation to mitigate this 'massive social and health issue.'

Prof. Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and President of SHRO, and Professor at Temple University, has a long history of research on the health effects of the Land of Fires, and served as a co-author on this latest study. 

“This research scientifically confirms what we’ve been denouncing for years,” says Giordano. “The Land of Fires is an ongoing environmental disaster with serious repercussions for public health. It is alarming to see that even an area considered ‘pristine’ is in fact contaminated and biologically stressed. There is no longer any doubt that toxic fumes from waste fires are permeating the entire environment. In light of these results, and the recent European court ruling, we must adopt a One Health approach, recognizing that protecting the environment means protecting human health. Immediate and concrete actions are needed to remediate polluted areas and prevent further dumping and illegal burning. The health of our communities and the future of our ecosystem depend on swift action.”

About Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) 

The  conducts groundbreaking research in cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the campus of Temple University, SHRO’s programs train young scientists from around the globe, accelerating the pace of health research and innovation.