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11 January 2005 - Crematoria Mercury
Emissions Abatement Required by 2012
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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA),
the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Executive, having consulted twice
on mercury emissions from crematoria, have decided that the 50% of crematoria
requiring mercury abatement will be given a further year to upgrade their
controls. The implementation date will now be 31 December 2012.
There are two options which meet with Government approval for
the reduction of mercury emissions within crematoria, as follows:
The Government accepts both abatements as long as satisfactory
evidence is provided, which will prove that there will be a 50% reduction in
mercury emissions.
Environment Minister commented:
"By 2020, crematoria will be by far the biggest single
contributor to mercury emissions in this country. Something must be done. Our
decision - on which we consulted widely - strikes a balance between the concerns
about cost to crematoria and the need to control emissions of a substance which
can damage human health and the environment."
The mercury emissions from crematoria amounts to approximately
16% of all the United Kingdoms' emissions and comes from the tooth fillings of
the deceased.
Control of mercury emissions from crematoria can be accessed by
clicking the following:
Defra, UK - Environmental Protection
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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