Dead Bodies: A Source Of Environmental Pollution?

The process of death and disposal of human remains has a significant environmental impact. Traditional burial methods, such as embalming, the use of hardwood or metal caskets, and concrete vaults, contribute to land and water pollution. Embalming fluids contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen, while the maintenance of memorial parks with pesticides and fertilizers further harms wildlife and seeps into water supplies. Cremation, on the other hand, releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants, though it is considered less harmful than traditional burials. As a result, eco-friendly alternatives like natural burials, aquamation, and corpse composting are gaining popularity, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of death care practices.

Burial sites and caskets

The process of burying a dead body is deeply ingrained in religious and cultural history. However, the process of preserving and sealing corpses into caskets and then placing them into the ground is extremely environmentally unfriendly. Burial sites and caskets contribute to pollution in several ways.

Firstly, embalming fluids are a major source of pollution. Embalming is the process of pumping a cocktail of chemicals, including formaldehyde, phenol, methanol, and glycerin, into the body to delay its decay. Formaldehyde is a potential human carcinogen and can be lethal in high concentrations. Over 800,000 gallons of formaldehyde are buried in the ground each year in the US. These toxic chemicals can leach into the soil and groundwater, causing environmental and health risks.

Secondly, the caskets themselves can be a source of pollution. Hardwood or metal caskets are often sealed in concrete vaults before being placed in memorial parks. These materials can take a long time to decompose and can contribute to land and water pollution.

Additionally, the maintenance of memorial parks and cemeteries can be environmentally detrimental. The sprawling lawns require large amounts of water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, which can seep into water supplies and harm wildlife. The vast amount of land used for cemeteries could also be utilized for other purposes.

To address these issues, eco-friendly burial alternatives are gaining popularity. These include natural burials, where the body is allowed to decompose naturally without embalming or a traditional casket, and green burials, which use eco-friendly biodegradable materials like cardboard and linen. Other innovative options include encasing the body in a pod that sprouts into a tree or sealing ashes in a concrete ball to feed coral reefs. These methods aim to reduce the environmental impact of burial and provide more sustainable end-of-life choices.

Embalming and cremation

Embalming is the process of pumping a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, phenol, methanol, and glycerin, into the body to delay its rate of decay. This is often done for display purposes during funerals, long-distance transportation, or for medical or scientific research. Formaldehyde is a potential human carcinogen and can be lethal in high concentrations. The fumes can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and phenol can irritate or burn the flesh. It is estimated that 800,000 gallons of formaldehyde are placed in the ground each year due to conventional burials in the US.

Cremation, while considered more environmentally friendly than embalming, still has a significant environmental impact. The burning of bodies releases gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals into the air. Cremation also requires a lot of fuel, resulting in carbon dioxide emissions. The average US cremation uses about the same amount of energy and emissions as two tanks of gas in a car. However, regional environmental regulations have led to most US crematoriums having scrubbing or filtering systems to reduce pollutants.

There are greener alternatives to both embalming and cremation. For embalming, a natural burial allows the body to decompose naturally in the ground without added chemicals, concrete, or synthetic materials. For cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, has about a tenth of the carbon footprint of conventional cremation and releases no emissions from the body. Another option is corpse composting, or natural organic reduction, which converts bodies into useful soil. These eco-friendly alternatives are becoming more popular as people recognize the environmental harm caused by conventional burials and cremations.

Environmental impact of cremation

Cremation is often considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial practices. However, the process still has a significant environmental impact. Cremation requires a lot of energy, which is usually produced by burning fossil fuels. This energy is used throughout the cremation process, and the combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. The average US cremation produces the same amount of carbon dioxide as driving a car for about 310 miles (500 kilometres) or filling up two tanks of gas.

The cremation process also results in the release of other gases and pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and heavy metals like mercury. These pollutants have adverse effects on both human health and the environment, contributing to air pollution and, in the case of open-air cremations, river pollution.

In addition, cremation produces ashes, which, if not properly disposed of, can cause damage to the surrounding environment. However, metal recycling after cremation can offset some of the emissions and energy usage, as it reduces the need for mining and new metal acquisition.

There are more eco-friendly alternatives to cremation, such as natural organic reduction or recomposition, where bodies are converted into useful soil. Another option is alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, which uses water to dissolve the body and has a much lower carbon footprint than traditional cremation. Greener burial practices, such as natural burials that allow the body to decompose and supply nutrients back to the earth, are also preferred over cremation.

Green burial alternatives

Burying dead bodies can be harmful to the environment due to the use of toxic chemicals, caskets, and vaults. As a result, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional burial are becoming more popular.

One alternative is a natural burial, in which the body is allowed to decompose in the ground without added chemicals, concrete, or synthetic materials. The body is typically buried in a biodegradable coffin or shroud and interred without a concrete burial vault. Natural burial grounds are often located in meadows or forests, and they restore or preserve the natural landscape.

Another option is alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation. This process dissolves the body in water and has a lower carbon footprint than conventional cremation. The liquid produced can be used as fertilizer on farmland.

In Washington State, a process called natural organic reduction or recomposition has been legalized. This process converts bodies into useful soil that can be used by friends and family or donated.

Other green burial alternatives include encasing the body in a pod that sprouts into a tree or sealing ashes in a concrete ball that will sink to the bottom of the ocean to feed coral reefs. Biodegradable caskets made from bamboo, paper, cardboard, wool, banana leaf, or willow are also available.

For those who prefer cremation, there are eco-friendly options to consider as well. While cremation releases gases and heavy metals into the air, new technologies are being developed to reduce emissions. Some crematoriums use scrubbing or filtering systems to neutralize pollutants.

Overall, the goal of green burial practices is to minimize environmental impact and allow the body to naturally return to the soil. These alternatives offer sustainable and eco-conscious choices for individuals seeking a meaningful and environmentally friendly farewell.

Contaminants and health risks

The health risks posed by dead bodies are mainly related to the improper preparation and disposal of cadavers. In the event of natural or human-made disasters, the rapid rate of death can overwhelm the established protocols for dealing with the deceased. This can lead to issues with the management of dead bodies, which, in turn, can create health, logistical, and psychological problems.

In such situations, the decomposition of bodies can go unchecked, leading to the production of substances like cadaverine and putrescine, which are formed during the decomposition of human bodies. These substances emit a foul odour and are toxic if ingested in large doses. While figures for humans are not available, rat studies suggest that a 60 kg (132 lb) person would be significantly affected by 27 grams (0.95 oz) of pure putrescine.

Additionally, those in close contact with the deceased, such as rescue workers, are at risk of contracting chronic infectious diseases that the deceased may have had, including hepatitis B and C, HIV, tuberculosis, cholera, and others.

However, it is important to note that the risk of disease transmission from dead bodies is generally low, and proper hygiene and biosecurity measures can further reduce this risk. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), even in the case of highly contagious diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and influenza, the causative agents do not survive long in the human body after death, making transmission by dead bodies unlikely.

The management of dead bodies during epidemics also raises concerns. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has developed guidelines to address the risks associated with the remains of those who have succumbed to infectious diseases. These guidelines emphasize the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) for individuals identifying bodies and personnel from morgues, funeral homes, and transportation services. Proper coordination with civil, governmental, military, and police authorities is also necessary to ensure efficient decision-making and resource allocation.

Furthermore, the environmental impact of conventional burial practices, which use toxic chemicals for embalming and sealing corpses in caskets, contributes to pollution. These chemicals can leach into the air and soil, exposing funeral workers and the surrounding environment to potential hazards. Cremation, on the other hand, releases gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution.

To mitigate these issues, eco-friendly burial alternatives are gaining popularity. These include natural burials, where the body is allowed to decompose naturally without the use of chemicals, concrete, or synthetic materials, and corpse composting, which converts bodies into useful soil. Other options include encasing the body in a pod that sprouts into a tree or sealing ashes in a concrete ball to feed coral reefs. These methods aim to reduce the environmental impact and health risks associated with traditional burial and cremation practices.

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