A chemical plant near the town of Seveso released large amounts of toxic chemicals, including dioxin, during the emergency venting of a chemical reactor. Shortly after the disaster animals were found dead and many more were preventively slaughter to stop the toxins entering the foodchain. Studies in 2009 showed increase in cancer mortality among the population exposed to dioxin during the disaster.
80,000 animals slaughtered preventively
6 tonnes of cancerous chemicals released
