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Web Resources for Environmental Justice Activists

Crematoria

Cremation and the number of crematoria are on the rise in the U.S. The Cremation Association of North America estimated that there were 2,204 crematories in 2010, up from 1,971 in 2005. Use of cremation has increased, mainly because it’s cheaper than standard burial, from 24% in 1998 to 45% in 2013. See their statistics page for more information.

When burning humans or other animals, there are toxic emissions associated with it, particularly when the following contaminants are an issue:

  • any mercury amalgam dental fillings which haven’t been removed
  • organohalogens (dioxins, furans, etc.) and other toxics accumulated through diet and other exposures (this is unavoidable, though a vegan/vegetarian diet will minimize exposure and toxin accumulation)
  • any plutonium pacemakers which haven’t been removed
  • silicone breast implants, which can contain PVC, Methylene Chloride and other toxic chemicals
  • other metal or plastic implants in humans
  • radioactive or toxic tracers or testing chemicals from animal experimentation (for animal carcass incinerators)
  • metal or plastic implants of tracking chips in pets (for pet crematoria)

There are similar hazards associated with pet crematoria and with animal carcass incinerators (often associated with research universities where animal testing occurs).

A great general resource site on crematoria pollution issues is: No Crematory

Health Studies

  • This 2003 study shows that the risk of stillbirth was 4% higher and the risk of the life threatening brain abnormality anencephalus was 5% higher among babies whose mothers lived near to crematoria. More details here.
  • Canada’s Interior Health Authority did a literature review and “concluded that fumes from crematoriums are potentially harmful and that they should not be located close to a residential area.” It also “found that particulate matter, which can be inhaled deep into lung tissue, is the chief threat.” (see “Put a lid on fumes from cremation,” Vancouver Sun, 5/12/2006)
  • Public Health Impact of Crematoria (report by Chief Medical Officer of British Columbia outlining mercury, dioxin, particulate matter and other emissions concerns; report states that crematoria could have a negative impact on health and should not be located in residential neighborhoods)

Mercury Emissions

Mercury Amalgam Fillings:

Removal of Mercury Amalgam Fillings Prior to Cremation:

Dioxin

In EPA’s 2000 Inventory of Dioxin Emissions in the U.S. (published March 2005), they estimate that crematoria emit 410 ng of dioxin TEQ (Toxic Equivalents) per body.

This equates to as much dioxin as burning:

  • 3,205 pounds of tires;
  • 320 pounds of trash in a trash incinerator; or
  • 426 pounds of hazardous waste in a hazardous waste incinerator

Source: p1-40 in Chapter 1 of EPA’s Dioxin Inventory

Ordinances Used to Combat Crematoria

Two crematoria were stopped by local governments in Pennsylvania in 2006 and 2007 through the use of local air pollution ordinances. West Reading Borough passed an ordinance requiring continuous monitoring of mercury emissions, real-time reporting of emissions data on a website and establishing strict emissions limits. Kulpmont Borough later passed a similar ordinance, regulating both mercury and dioxins and creating a 900-foot set-back requirement from residential properties. See ActionPA’s ordinance page for details.

Green Burial

There are green burial options that don’t require incineration and which don’t have the problems associated with modern cemetaries. For details, see the following websites:


http://www.ejnet.org/crematoria/