Posted by:

Ryan Thogmartin (Huppstiverson)
Connecting Directors, Co-Founder

It all depends on what you mean by 'pollution'.

The retort burn a significant amount of fuel (most often natural gas) so you are getting whatever comes from that.

The retort does have 'pollution controls', and if properly maintained, keeps 'stuff' to a minimum. As far as I have been taught, the pollution control is an electric eye in the exhaust that monitors what comes out. If it sees too much smoke/debris, it turns up the afterburner. The afterburner basically burns up everything in the exhaust, including particulate and smoke. All you should see coming out of the stack is the 'wavy heat mirage thingy'.

Thanks Rick!

After taking to a few crematory owners, you have echoed their response.

In our local paper (The Dispatch, Columbus, Ohio) a neighbor to a Crematory has been complaining of a harsh smell and thick black smoke coming from the crematory stack.

I regularly call on this crematory and have never encountered any of the two. I was under the impression if the crematory was run correctly this would not happen.

I was just curious to see if others have encountered any of the so called "pollution" (this is what the person complaining called the smoke and smell).

Thanks for the feedback.

Posted by:

Ryan Thogmartin (Huppstiverson)
Connecting Directors, Co-Founder

I would like to provide a more technical answer regarding pollution. I am a crematory operator so I can give you some detail.

Smoke is an indication of a problem, either with the equipment or operator.

There are many reasons there could have been smoke but all most all are an indication of something not working or done correctly.

All machines in use for about 30 years have an additional jet burner for the purpose of burning off the smoke (afterburner). If it is functioning no smoke can be seen, just the difference in temperature. Enough about that unless you want to know more.

Now for pollution, all crematories emit "particulate matter", because the cremated material floats away with the force of the burners and air circulation.

An average cremation (a person weighing 190) case releases about .86 lbs of matter into the surrounding atmosphere. Of course, many factors contribute to the amount released; but .86 lb can be used for a newer machine.

It consist of "particulate emissions" of about .19 lb per body, carbon monoxide of .016 lb per body, Nitrogen Oxide of about .51lb per body, Volatile organic compound of .016 lb per body, sulfer dioxide .14 lb per body.

An average fast food releases up to 4 times more than a very busy crematory.

We are not a busy crematory and have produced 44 lbs of particulate emmission over the last 18 months.

Hope that helps