According to a health study released by October 22nd 2012, the mortality rate is higher in Taranto, home to the controversial ILVA steel plant, than in other areas of Puglia.

Mr Alessandro Marescotti president of Peacelink Taranto said that it shows that the mortality rate is more than 11% higher in Taranto compared with the rest of the province of Puglia.

The study, conducted by the Institute of Health, also found a 1% increase in Taranto's mortality rate since 2008.

Health minister Mr Renato Balduzzi was expected in Taranto to discuss the report, the latest in a long series of studies into the serious health and environmental costs associated with the plant.

Accused of years of spewing pollution in the surrounding environment, ILVA has been ordered to cut production while it undergoes extensive and costly upgrades.

The steelworks have been at the centre of a heated industrial dispute since a local preliminary investigations judge ordered the partial closure of the plant due to long-running environmental and health concerns in July 2012.

ILVA and the government have been trying to keep the plant in operation while the necessary upgrades are made.

Source - ANSA

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