There are many concerns when it comes to cremation, including costs, disposal or non-disposal of the ashes, and now, its creation of pollution. These concerns are worldwide, especially in countries like the UK where cremations are far more common.
Going Against the Minority
Reading Cemetery and Crematorium is one among a minority across the country to have implemented emission-reducing technologies. Environmental campaigners say more needs to be done nationally to cut fumes from cremations, which they claim can produce as much harmful pollution as a car driving twice the length of the UK.
A Freedom of Information request by Newsquest’s Data Investigations Unit has found only a handful of the UK’s 307 crematoria are using new deNOx technology to reduce the harmful emission levels – and among those is Reading.
In 2018 alone, there were 1,693 cremations in Reading Cemetery and Crematorium.
Impactful National Trends
Around 95 per cent of coffins used in cremations nationally are made from chipboard, also known as MDF. Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) or Customwood is a man-made, engineered wood product. MDF was introduced into coffin making because it gave the look of real timber grain without the cost of real timber. Nowadays, MDF allows for a cheaper range of coffins to be produced that may be more affordable for some families.
The coffins are finished with a water based lacquer not solvent based. When it’s dry it’s completely biodegradable No other toxins are contained within the board, therefore, these coffins are suitable for burial or cremation.
When the coffin is cremated, as it’s mostly wood as the coffin burns it aids the process of cremation without any harmful emissions. The amount of CO2 released from the coffin during cremation is offset by the CO2 taken up during the life as a tree and can be considered carbon neutral.
But they are far from being nitrogen oxide neutral.
Funerals using these produce the same amount of nitrogen oxide gas as a car driving 2,280 miles – or 3,650 cars driving past during the course of a cremation, according to industry magazine Pharos.
Spokesman Comments
A spokesman from Reading Borough Council (RBC) said: “RBC replaced all its cremators back in 2013 with cremators which incorporate the very latest technology and abate a range of elements, particularly mercury. It is also meeting the conditions of its Environmental Permit. The government issued guidelines in this area in 2005 and DEFRA produced updated guidance in 2012 which the council fully adheres to. The service additionally works hard on a daily basis to ensure it utilises the equipment in the most energy efficient way. The cemetery and cremations in Reading service takes a proactive approach to managing its everyday emissions and plays an important part in the council’s pledge to create a net-zero carbon Reading by 2030.”
Lack of Legislation
The kit, produced by Facultatieve Technologies, costs about £30,000. Using one can reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) – a contributor to respiratory health problems – by up to 80 per cent.
However, many local authorities are yet to do so because controlling the emission of nitrogen oxides is not a legal requirement.
Changes need to be made worldwide, and this is especially important to address in American crematoriums as the rate of cremation continues to rise.
Source Name: The Reading Chronicle