Скачать или смотреть Embalming Chemicals Used in Funerals: An Environmental Controversy

Embalming is a common practice in funerals, particularly in the United States and Canada1. It involves the use of chemicals to preserve the body of the deceased, slowing down the decomposition process and making the body suitable for public display. However, this practice has sparked controversy due to its potential environmental impact. This article explores the chemicals used in embalming, their pros and cons, and trends towards alternative methods.

Embalming is a physically invasive process where special devices are implanted, and embalming fluids are injected into the body1. The most common embalming fluid contains a mixture of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, methanol, and other solvents. The formaldehyde content generally ranges from 5 to 37 percent, and the methanol content may range from 9 to 56 percent.

Formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde fixes tissue or cells by irreversibly connecting a primary amine group in a protein molecule with nearby nitrogen in a protein or DNA molecule through a CH2 linkage called a Schiff base. This process gives the body what some consider a more “life-like” appearance.

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