Concerns: Cremation Emissions, Toxins and Air Quality

Some Americans are concerned that traditional cremations are actually environmentally problematic. They are only 10% greener than a traditional burial. The energy consumed in cremating bodies at temperatures of more than 900C or the dioxin and other gases released into the atmosphere in the process are seldom considered.

According to "A Guide to Natural Burial", author Ken West, says:

Incineration Cremation vaporizes the water content, soft tissue, and organs and converts them into polluting gases. If an average of two cremators are operated at the 260 UK crematoria during each working day, then every 90 minutes, the average time taken to complete a cremation, 520 bodies are incinerated together with 520 chipboard coffins, and plastic/fabric coffin liners and 2,080 plastic handles plus the gas used. Add to this an assumed 6 amalgam-filled teeth per body, a total of 3,120 mercury fillings, the emissions of which will drift on westerly winds and deposit through precipitation in the sea. The cod, plaice and other fish absorb this mercury through the food chain, which we ultimately eat.

Many crematoria are situated in densely populated areas. They release harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, dioxins, furans, formaldehyde, and mercury; as well as tiny portions of dust, called particulates.

These combination of emissions and particulates are adding to those fron industrial processes, vehicles, and central heating boilers. This air pollution exceeds prescribed EU levels in many UK cities and contributes to respiration problems.

The government has accepted that mercury emissions pose a threat to human health and, by agreement with the federation of British Cremation Authorities (FBCA) at least 50% of cremations will be abated by the end of 2012.

Some metal residue remains after each after each cremation, hitherto interred in the crematorium grounds and a potential ground water pollution threat. Of the 260  crematoria, only 160 (62%) recycled this waste by 2009.

South Australia, research suggested that a conventional burial created 39kgs of carbon compared to unabated cremation at 160kgs.

It is important to note here that purchasing carbon credits with an incineration cremation, does not remove the toxins from the air that the cremation process itself produces.

Some Fire-based Cremation Pollution Facts

• 16 gallons of gasoline is the equivalency "that each human cremation uses up", about when an SUV burns in nearly a 200-mile trip.
• 32% Americans cremated each year.
• 1% Increase of cremations each year in the USA.
• 16% Mercury emissions in the UK as a result of gasses released during cremation.
• 278 lbs. per year of Mercury Emissions in the US from cremation, that is "based on an average of 7 amalgam fillings per baby boomer."
• 0.2% Global emission of dioxins and furans caused by cremation.
• 42% Of cremated bodies that contain either metal or plastic implants that contribute to the dioxin release during cremation.
• 10% Greener than traditional burial in a traditional gravesite.
• 1,000 to 7,800 Pounds of Mercury released annually by cremations in the USA alone.
• 83 Trips to the moon from the USA and back = the amount of energy spent to process 1 years worth of cremations in the USA.

Fire-based Cremation Emissions Hurt the Environment and our Air Quality

The process of cremation involves burning the often-embalmed remains with their caskets,

releasing fossil fuels into the air including:

• Dioxin
  
• hydrochloric acid
• hydrofluoric acid
• sulfur dioxide
• carbon dioxide
• nitrogen oxides
• carbon monoxide
• particulate matter
• mercury
• hydrogen fluoride
• hydrogen chloride
• and other heavy metals into the atmosphere.

Although special filters are designed to reduce mercury emissions during the cremation process, toxic chemicals from the embalming fluid still escape into the earth’s atmosphere.

Please share your thoughts on cremation. 

Will you choose cremation for yourself? Why or why not?

Are you worried about air quality in your city or state? 

Concerns: Embalming and Cemetery Pollution

Americans are concerned that embalming and cemetery burial contribute to pollution.

Here are some embalming/cemetery burial facts:

• 22,500 Cemeteries across the USA practice contemporary burial and are NOT environmentally sustainable.

• 827,060 Gallons of embalming fluid used each year. (Enough to fill 8 Olympic sized swimming pools).

• 5 to 29% - Formaldehyde content in embalming fluid.

• 9 to 56% - Ethanol content in embalming fluid.

• 104,272 Tons of steel used each year for caskets and vaults.

• 2,700 Tons of copper & bronze used each year.

• 30 Million+ feet of hardwoods used each year to make caskets.

• 60 Million trees cut down each year to make caskets.

• 1.6 Million tons of reinforced concrete in the construction of burial vaults. Enough concrete to build a two-lane highway from New York to Detroit.

• Enough concrete to build 13,573 American houses.

What makes embalming so toxic?

• 9 to 56%. Ethanol content.
• These chemical additives discourage the conversion of materials and there is no benefit other than the preservation of remains far longer than necessary. 
• The World Health Organization classifies formaldehyde as a carcinogen, In addition, Casket manufacturers are listed on the EPA’s top 50 hazardous waste generators list due to chemicals such as methyl and xylene used in the protective finish sprayed on the caskets exterior (a casket that will be buried or burned).

Green Embalming

Contemporary cemeteries and funeral homes are adopting green practices. Many traditional cemeteries are now sectioning off portions of their land for green burials. Additionally, many mortuary chemical companies like Dogde (making formaldehyde-free arterial fluid) and Champion (making Enigma - their line of non-toxic products) are beginning to make safe, environmentally friendly products.

Please share your thoughts about embalming and cemetery pollution: Will you choose embalming for yourself? Why or why not?

Should Americans reduce the use of chemicals in death care?

Green Departures

“Americans put 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid, 1,636,000 tons of reinforced concrete, 104,272 tons of steel [for caskets and vaults], 2,700 tons of copper and bronze, and 30 million board feet of hardwoods into the ground each year...the concrete alone…[is] enough to build 13,573 American houses.”
A growing trend is the practice green or natural burial, which compassionately cares for the deceased and protects the earth. However, this natural and safe method has been practiced for centuries.

Muslims wrap their dead in “white wrappings” and bury them directly onto the dirt of the grave (Jonker, 2006, p. 158). As Jonker (2006) explains, “No coffin is needed or wanted” (p. 158). The body is lowered into the grave “with shawls or lengths of cloth” and is “positioned as if sleeping” (Jonker, 2006, p. 158) with either a stone or pile of mud placed under the head for support (p. 158). The natural burial of the body in Islam (wrappings of just a shroud, no embalming and being placed directly in contact with the earth) allows for a more natural return to the earth. There is no use of unnecessary embalming fluid and coffin to slow the recycling of the body to the soil.

The Jews also bury directly in the ground, and do not allow interment in mausoleums “as this is not returning the body to the dust from whence it came” (Levine, 1997, p. 107). Additionally, like Islam, Judaism prohibits both cremation and embalming (Levine, 1997, p. 107). This law was designed to prevent destruction and or altering of the body, however it is also done for the compassion of the surviving loved ones (Levine, 1997, p. 107). Because “embalming…creates an illusion of life…[it] may hinder the bereaved from acknowledging the death of their loved one” (Levine, 1997, p. 108). These compassionate Jewish values honor the deceased, assist in the healing of loved ones and protect the planet.

Ecohumanist beliefs also support natural burial for the preservation of the planet. One of the principles shared on the Council for Secular Humanist (2009) is to “protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species.” When one considers all the pollution and waste from common contemporary burials (embalmed body in casket), one cannot ignore the significant and devastating effects upon the earth. Cullen (2006) presents some very startling statistics on contemporary burials.

“Americans put 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid, 1,636,000 tons of reinforced concrete, 104,272 tons of steel [for caskets and vaults], 2,700 tons of copper and bronze, and 30 million board feet of hardwoods into the ground each year...the concrete alone…[is] enough to build 13,573 American houses” (p. 52).

“Like the contents of any landfill, the embalmed body’s toxic cache escapes its host and eventually leaches into the environment, tainting surrounding soil and groundwaters” (Harris, 2007, p. 38). This happens because coffins are not leak-proof. Harris (2007) explains that the “combined body fluids, liquefied tissue, formaldehyde, bacteria, and corporeal acids…collect at the lowest spot of the casket, pooling in a…toxic soup” (p. 37). Wood caskets are porous offering minimal resistance to such toxic liquids, which can easily leak out (Harris, 2007, p. 37). While “metal caskets are more resilient…acids work to breach them as well” (Harris, 2007, p. 37). Cullen (2006) notes that green (natural) burials can “cut that waste [and pollution] dramatically” (p. 52).

Embalming and caskets are not only unnecessary, they are wasteful and harmful to the planet. Obviously the pollution of the earth and the waste of precious resources do not help to protect the purity or safety of our planet. Natural or green burials, as supported by Ecohumanists, are clearly the most ethical and compassionate methods of burial. They help protect the planet for future generations.

References:
Cullen, L. T. (2006). Remember Me. New York: Harper Collins.

Harris, M. (2007). Grave Matters. A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial. New York: Scribner.

Jonker, G. (2006). The many facets of Islam: Death, dying and disposal between orthodox rule and historical conventon, in, C.M. Parkes, P. Laungani, & B. Young (Ed.), Death and Bereavement Across Cultures (pp. 98-130) London: Routledge.

Levine, E. (2006). Jewish Views and Customs on Death, in, C.M. Parkes, P. Laungani, & B. Young (Ed.), Death and Bereavement Across Cultures (pp. 98-130) London: Routledge.

The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles. (2009). Council for Secular Humanism. Retrieved June 2, 2009, from: http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=main&page=affirmations
All content © Village Memorial. 2009-2010.