HomeMy WebLinkAboutCremation ProcessThere has been inquiry about the cremation process and emissions. In this regard, the
following are noteworthy:
A. The crematorium in which the body is cremated contains a (i) primary
chamber, (ii) secondary chamber and (iii) a stack from the secondary
chamber.
B. Essentially, the process is as follows:
1. The body is cremated in the primary chamber. In that a body is
85% water, this is primarily an evaporation process.
2. The gases, which fuel the burner are then oxidized in the
secondary chamber.
3. After this oxidation process, what remains is released through the
stack.
C. What is emitted from the stack is primarily gases, including (i) carbon
monoxide, emitted at the rate of 0 to 20 parts per million, (ii) nitrogen
oxide, which results from combustion of the fuel and not the body and
which is emitted at the rate of about 0.38 pounds per hour and (iii) sulfur
dioxide which, again, results from combustion of the fuel and not the body
and is emitted at the rate of about 0.11 pounds per hour. Also emitted are
(i) other organic compounds, at the rate of 0.003 pounds per hour and (ii)
particulate matter, at the rate of 0.01 pound per hour. All of these
emissions fall far below regulated thresholds.