Anything that burns produces ash. Modern crematoria emit clean smoke through tall chimneys. Crematories use gas or electricity for combustion to destroy bodies and remove disease in a timely manner. Ashes are collected by families. Bodies with no oil or grease burn without smoke or flame.
A deceased body placed in a cremation chamber is heated to 1400-1800 Fahrenheit. This vaporizes the body over two to three hours, producing filtered smoke containing carbon dioxide and water vapor. The smoke releases through the roof or a chimney without affecting the environment.
Cremation smoke is inevitable, containing vaporized body matter. At 1750 degrees Fahrenheit, inhaling the smoke directly over the stack causes problems. Crematoria use filtration to minimize smell.
Pollution Concerns
Teeth fillings release mercury into crematoria. The smoke results when temperatures drop suddenly in the two heating chambers fueled by natural gas. Overheated chambers also cause dark smoke containing particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. These pollutants severely impact health and environment.
Cremated Remains and Odor Control
The bone does not burn completely during cremation. Cremated remains surprise families with their volume. Venting systems make smoke less obvious. Crematoria often burn at night to avoid upsetting people. The high heat vaporizes smells. Extreme heat combusts proteins into entropic molecules, avoiding barbecue smells.
FAQs
Can you smell smoke from a crematorium?
Yes, but venting systems and high-temperature combustion reduce the odor.
Is it unhealthy to live near a crematorium?
Potential pollutants like mercury and other heavy metals released during the cremation process raise health concerns, although modern filtration systems are designed to minimize these risks.