Resident Elisa Young said in an interview by the Huffington Post, “I’ve lost neighbors to lung cancer who have never smoked,” she said. “I’ve lost them to brain cancer, breast, throat, colon, multiple myeloma, pre-leukemia, arsenic poisoning. When my son, who’s in his 20s, came home to visit, he said, ‘Mom, is it normal for your mouth to taste like metal?’ We pulled over and he coughed until he got sick.”

The coal mines and coal plants nearby have been legally dumping coal ash – which was classed as non hazardous in 1988. It is only now that the Environmental Protection Agency is re-evaluating the actual dangers that coal ash might present.

Defects appearing in children like heart problems and cleft palates have been linked to the dangerously high amounts of arsenic found in the drinking water in Kettleman City, California and the amount of pesticides used on surrounding farms. There is also a massive toxic waste site a mile away from the town.

Council authorities are investigating these cases.

About 20 rubbish sacks filled with a yellowish liquid, which appears to be vomit, has been discarded in the front garden of Wendy Smith’s home in Dereham Road, Costessey.

Mrs Smith, a telephone engineer, said she does not know exactly what is in the bags, but is concerned it is some sort of hazardous bodily waste and fears there may even be used needles lurking in the sacks.

The 39-year-old has contacted Norwich City Council about the strange sacks but has been told as her house is a private property she must dispose of the waste herself.

She said: “It’s just so frustrating that it’s my responsibility and no-one will do anything about it for me. I really don’t know what they bags are.”