Traditional burial is no longer the norm, which is highly beneficial for the environment. Cremation has become the most common form of disposition, and while it tends to have less of an environmental impact, there are still legitimate concerns about how it impacts air quality.
Conventional flame cremation involves incineration that can produce air pollutants. It’s an unavoidable byproduct of the process, but that doesn’t mean the problem can’t be solved.
More states are legalizing water cremation, which doesn’t produce air pollutants, but that still doesn’t address the issue. Instead, the death care industry and government entities are implementing a number of solutions to drastically reduce air pollutants as the cremation rate continues to climb.
Air Pollutants That Can Be Released During Incineration Cremation
A mixture of air pollutants can be generated during flame-based cremation that have the potential for bioaccumulation and environmental damage. It’s estimated that each flame cremation generates 530-540 pounds of carbon dioxide alone.
Here’s a quick rundown of the most common pollutants that can negatively affect air quality, the environment and human health.
Carbon Dioxide
Source: burning fossil fuels
Concern: greenhouse gas that also impacts oxygen in red blood cells
Carbon Monoxide
Source: incomplete combustion of fuel source
Concern: poisonous gas that affects blood oxygen levels, can impact the brain or cause death
Nitrogen Oxide
Source: high temperatures and burning the body
Concern: creates acid rain and smog
Sulfur Dioxide
Source: burning fossil fuels and human tissue
Concern: creates acid rain
Dioxins
Source: incomplete burning of materials that contain chlorine
Concern: highly toxic persistent pollutant that can cause hormone and other health problems
Furans
Source: incomplete combustion
Concern: hormonal changes and known carcinogen
Mercury Vapor
Source: dental fillings and medical devices
Concern: high levels of mercury vapor that are inhaled can cause kidney and brain problems
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Source: incomplete combustion
Concern: leads to ground level ozone and is a known carcinogen
Soot
Source: incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials
Concern: causes cardiovascular and respiratory problems
How the Cremation Process is Changing to Reduce Air Pollutants
Now that you know which air pollutants are a problem, let’s take a look at what’s being done to minimize the amount of air pollution that’s generated during cremations.
Removal of Potential Air Pollutants – Some states are putting regulations in place that encourage or require the removal of anything that could become an air pollutant during the cremation process. There are very strict guidelines for what can be put into a retort and those restrictions could get tighter. Mercury dental fillings are a good example. Some states are putting rules in place that require the removal of mercury dental fillings prior to cremation.
Another issue is plastics. Prohibiting plastics from being put in the retort will reduce air pollutants like furans.
Improved Combustion Controls – Incomplete combustion is one of the biggest contributors for air pollutants that form during cremation. Newer retorts are more efficient, accurate and consistent with heating allowing for more control. The crematory operator is able to dial in the heat to fully burn everything off so that pollutants aren’t created. Some retorts also have an afterburner chamber for secondary incineration to ensure particles and gases are completely combusted.
Better Monitoring Systems – Retort operators can continuously monitor the conditions inside the retort to fine-tune the settings and make sure the air-to-fuel ratio is ideal.
Proper Retort Maintenance – It’s now known that some air pollutants aren’t the result of combustion but rather de novo synthesis. This is when cooler areas like the flue produce the pollutants. Another cause is fly ash that contains heavy metals. Regularly cleaning the retort reduces the amount of fly ash and potential for pollutants.
Cleaner Fuel Sources – The type of fuel that’s used for a cremation has a big impact on the air pollutants that could potentially be released. There are now retorts that use natural gas and propane to cut down on pollutants, and technology is being developed to power cremations with renewable energy.
Activated Carbon Injections – There’s no way of completely eliminating air pollutants, so the next line of defence is capturing them before they are released into the air. Retorts are now being designed so that activated carbon is injected into the flue gas to absorb pollutants. It’s a highly effective way to remove up to 95% of mercury vapor.
Integrated Advanced Filtration Systems – Filtration systems are now essential. There are many filtration methods that can be implemented, including what’s known as baghouses. A baghouse is a fabric filter that is lined with a layer of lime and activated carbon to remove 100% of some pollutants.
Wet Scrubbers – A lot of pollutants can be captured within the flue gas, and that’s exactly what wet scrubbers do. A liquid scrubber solution is injected into an internal chamber as the flue gas passes through. The liquid absorbs the pollutants allowing the rest of the gas to pass through.
Dry Scrubbers – Dry scrubbers produce the same effect as wet scrubbers, except dry absorbent materials are used instead of liquid.
Cooling Condensers – condensers are being used to cool the flue gas before it’s released so that contaminants like mercury are converted into a liquid or solid that can be collected at the end of the cremation.
Cremation.Green is fully committed to reducing the environmental impact of disposition. We are industry leaders that give families in Texas eco-friendly funeral options with a minimal impact. Our clean flame cremation process is the greenest choice for anyone who prefers traditional cremation.
If you’d like to know more or would like help arranging a cremation, you can call, text or email us at any time.