A laboratory study of the pollution of formaldehyde in cemeteries (South Africa)

Cemeteries are known to be associated with soil and groundwater pollution from contaminants in coffin materials. However, possible contamination from embalming fluids such as formaldehyde has not been investigated. Formaldehyde is a recognised carcinogen, which is primarily toxic after inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. Although it is maintained that formaldehyde breaks down into innocuous compounds, this has not been established at sites such as cemeteries where there is a continuous addition of formaldehyde-preserved bodies, sometimes on a daily basis. It is also not confirmed whether different soil types and environmental conditions affect the leaching of formaldehyde into groundwater resources. This study comprises a laboratory study of the leaching potential of formaldehyde through different soils and environmental conditions. Twenty-seven containers with taps were filled with either sandy, silty or clayey soils. Samples of burial materials and a cloth saturated with formalin were buried within each column. These were exposed to conditions simulating that of the environment, i.e. (1) different temperatures, (2) heavy or prolonged rainfall and (3) using either acidic or slightly acid water. Leachate samples were collected every 2 weeks for a period of 24 weeks and analysed for formaldehyde using acid titration. The results showed that most formaldehyde percolated through the soil between week 6 and week 14 of interment, with a greater amount being leached from sand. Neither temperature nor pH affected the amount of formaldehyde leached; however, conditions simulating heavy rainfall facilitated leaching. Although a total of only 3% of the initial amount of formaldehyde mobilised, concentrations of up to 15 mg/L formaldehyde were recorded on two occasions, exceeding the tolerable concentration recommended by the World Health Organisation.Water Research Commission of South Africa [K5/2449]http://link.springer.com/journal/12665hj2019Geography, Geoinformatics and MeteorologyGeolog

A laboratory simulation of the potential groundwater contamination associated with burial materials

Metals, coatings and embalming fluid used in burial practices may corrode and seep into the soils, which could end up in nearby water sources. However, this basic assumption has not yet been proven. To avoid other anthropogenic factors, this thesis comprised of a laboratory study of the leaching potentials of metals and formaldehyde through different soils under various environmental conditions. After collecting and analysing the coffin samples, twenty-seven containers with taps were filled with either sand, silt or clay soils. Samples of burial materials, cloth saturated with formalin and bacteria were buried within each soil column. These were exposed to high or lower temperatures and conditions simulating heavy or prolonged rainfall using either acidic or slightly acid water. Interment continued for six months. In addition to testing the effects of these variables, cement was buried in the three soil types with pre-weighed coiled wires of common metals, namely aluminium, iron, copper and zinc. After 24 weeks of testing, the corrosion rates of the various metals were determined, which allowed us to conclude that concrete tombs could be a possible solution to reduce the corrosion rates of coffin materials. It may also retard soil and groundwater contamination. After analysing the water leachates of each sample, it became evident that coffin materials do indeed corrode and become mobile. It also verifies that the aforementioned variables do in fact affect the corrosion rate and leaching of the various coffin materials and that concrete tombs truly are a solution to reduce corrosion and contamination rates of cemeteries. The results also showed that most formaldehyde percolated through the soil between weeks six to week 14 of interment. Neither temperature nor pH affected the amount of formaldehyde leachate, however, conditions simulating heavy rainfall facilitated leaching. Although a total of only 3% of the initial amount of formaldehyde became mobile, concentrations of up to 15.0 mg/L formaldehyde were recorded on two occasions – considerably higher than the Tolerable Concentration recommended by the World Health Organization.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017.Water Research Commission (WRC)Geography, Geoinformatics and MeteorologyMScUnrestricte

A laboratory study of the leachate composition of selected metals in cemeteries (South Africa)

Considerable research has been conducted on the physical and chemical corrosion of metals under various environmental conditions, but less attention has been given to the impact of corrosion on the environment. One such potentially hazardous situation may occur in cemeteries where metals and coatings used in the manufacturing of coffins may corrode, seep into the soils, and could end up in nearby water sources. The aim of this project was to determine whether burial materials corrode and leach into groundwater under controlled laboratory conditions. This was achieved by burying samples of burial materials in containers with three different soil types, namely sand, silt and clay. The experimental containers were exposed to various conditions simulating typical South African temperatures, rainfall intensities and with different pH values. A total of 24 simulations and 3 controls were tested. The leachates of each sample were collected every 8 weeks over a period of 6 months and tested for aluminium, iron, copper and zinc. In this experiment, it becomes evident that coffin materials do corrode and become mobile; however, they react differently in different soil media and under diverse environmental conditions. In general, the most corrosive conditions are high temperatures and acidic rainfall. Zn is the most corroded and mobile metal, with Fe being the least. It is notable that Al, Fe and Cu continue to leach out of the soils even after a period of 6 months. This may pose a health and environmental problem and a programme of groundwater quality monitoring should be undertaken in the vicinity of cemeteries.The South African Water Research Commissionhttps://link.springer.com/journal/126652020-08-01hj2019Geolog