Today's word: Alkaline Hydrolysis
What is it? Also known as 'resomation'..quite possibly the 'greenest' form of burial today. More to come in the next post!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Embalming is toxic! (and unnecessary)
Many people believe that the chemicals used in embalming have a detrimental effect on the soil as the body and surrounding containers decompose and that once those chemicals enter the soil, they are eventually washed into our water supply via ground water.
In 2002, a study in the United Kingdom reported that formaldehyde used in the embalming process definitively seeped into the ground as a low level soil contaminant. In contrast, it found that natural burials pose no environmental threat at all. Further research revealed that the chemicals used in embalming fluid remain in the soil for about ten years.
The effects these chemicals are having on living organisms are currently bring rigorously studied. However, findings already indicate that effluence from embalming chemicals will naturally have a detrimental influence on a number of microbes necessary for the support of healthy soil as well as the flora and fauna in the path of these chemicals.
In increasing numbers, people are deciding that embalming is unnecessary especially given the fact that the result is so temporary. In cases where massive reconstruction of the body is needed in order to have a viewing or in rare cases where an illness was extremely severe, embalming may still be the only option if a viewing is desired, but overall, many are realizing that embalming may not be worth the high monetary or potential ecological cost.
Below are the chemicals that are used in the process of embalming:
1. A preservative chemical: These are usually a mixture of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or, in some cases, phenol. Methanol is used to hold the formaldehyde in solution.
2. Water Conditioner: These are designed to balance the "hardness" of water (the presence of other trace chemicals that change the water's pH or neutrality) and to assist in reducing the acidity within the body which is a natural byproduct of decomposition. This is important because formaldehyde works best in an alkaline environment. Additionally, water conditioners may be used to help counteract chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics, which may interfere with the efficiency of some of the preservative chemicals.
3. Cell Conditioner: These chemicals act to prepare cells for absorption of arterial fluid and help break up clots in the bloodstream.
4. Dyes: Active dyes are use to restore someone's natural coloration and counteract natural conditions such as jaundice thereby giving the remains a more life-like appearance. Inactive dyes are used by the manufacturer of the arterial fluid to give a more pleasing color to the fluid in the bottle but do nothing for the appearance of the embalmed body.
5. Humectants: These are added to dehydrated and emaciated bodies in more advanced stages of decomposition in order to help restore the tissue to a more natural and hydrated appearance.
6. Anti-Edemic Chemicals: The opposite of humectants, these chemicals are designed to draw excessive fluid (edema) from a decomposing body.
7. Additional Disinfectants: In some instances or for certain conditions or aspects of decomposition, chemicals normally used topically such as disinfectants are added to an arterial solution.
8. Water: Most arterial solutions are a mix of some of the preceding chemicals with tepid water. However, some embalming is considered "Waterless" when the chemicals are used without being further dissolved. This is very effective but too expensive for everyday cases.
9. Cavity Fluid: Typically this is a high-index formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde solution injected undiluted directly into the body cavities to aid in temporary preservation and slow the natural process of decomposition from the inside of the body out.
After centuries of practice, traditional funerary practices are ingrained in our culture, our psychology and our religious practices. So many of our emotions and beliefs are wrapped up in our traditions; for that reason, many families still adhere to the idea of a casket burial and embalming.
However, with each passing year, more of us are becoming aware of the reality of the scope of the damage done to the planet. Pollution, loss of wild and plant life, dwindling land supplies, and changes in our weather patterns are coming to the forefront of international public attention. Furthermore, our world culture is changing in myriad ways. Overall, ours is not as formal a world as it was when many of our traditional funerary practices were first instituted.
(provided by Ezine Articles)
In 2002, a study in the United Kingdom reported that formaldehyde used in the embalming process definitively seeped into the ground as a low level soil contaminant. In contrast, it found that natural burials pose no environmental threat at all. Further research revealed that the chemicals used in embalming fluid remain in the soil for about ten years.
The effects these chemicals are having on living organisms are currently bring rigorously studied. However, findings already indicate that effluence from embalming chemicals will naturally have a detrimental influence on a number of microbes necessary for the support of healthy soil as well as the flora and fauna in the path of these chemicals.
In increasing numbers, people are deciding that embalming is unnecessary especially given the fact that the result is so temporary. In cases where massive reconstruction of the body is needed in order to have a viewing or in rare cases where an illness was extremely severe, embalming may still be the only option if a viewing is desired, but overall, many are realizing that embalming may not be worth the high monetary or potential ecological cost.
Below are the chemicals that are used in the process of embalming:
1. A preservative chemical: These are usually a mixture of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or, in some cases, phenol. Methanol is used to hold the formaldehyde in solution.
2. Water Conditioner: These are designed to balance the "hardness" of water (the presence of other trace chemicals that change the water's pH or neutrality) and to assist in reducing the acidity within the body which is a natural byproduct of decomposition. This is important because formaldehyde works best in an alkaline environment. Additionally, water conditioners may be used to help counteract chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics, which may interfere with the efficiency of some of the preservative chemicals.
3. Cell Conditioner: These chemicals act to prepare cells for absorption of arterial fluid and help break up clots in the bloodstream.
4. Dyes: Active dyes are use to restore someone's natural coloration and counteract natural conditions such as jaundice thereby giving the remains a more life-like appearance. Inactive dyes are used by the manufacturer of the arterial fluid to give a more pleasing color to the fluid in the bottle but do nothing for the appearance of the embalmed body.
5. Humectants: These are added to dehydrated and emaciated bodies in more advanced stages of decomposition in order to help restore the tissue to a more natural and hydrated appearance.
6. Anti-Edemic Chemicals: The opposite of humectants, these chemicals are designed to draw excessive fluid (edema) from a decomposing body.
7. Additional Disinfectants: In some instances or for certain conditions or aspects of decomposition, chemicals normally used topically such as disinfectants are added to an arterial solution.
8. Water: Most arterial solutions are a mix of some of the preceding chemicals with tepid water. However, some embalming is considered "Waterless" when the chemicals are used without being further dissolved. This is very effective but too expensive for everyday cases.
9. Cavity Fluid: Typically this is a high-index formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde solution injected undiluted directly into the body cavities to aid in temporary preservation and slow the natural process of decomposition from the inside of the body out.
After centuries of practice, traditional funerary practices are ingrained in our culture, our psychology and our religious practices. So many of our emotions and beliefs are wrapped up in our traditions; for that reason, many families still adhere to the idea of a casket burial and embalming.
However, with each passing year, more of us are becoming aware of the reality of the scope of the damage done to the planet. Pollution, loss of wild and plant life, dwindling land supplies, and changes in our weather patterns are coming to the forefront of international public attention. Furthermore, our world culture is changing in myriad ways. Overall, ours is not as formal a world as it was when many of our traditional funerary practices were first instituted.
(provided by Ezine Articles)
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