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Regulation targets pollution from crematoriums

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-30 17:46

China is to adopt a new control regulation which will require most of the country's crematoriums to upgrade incinerators to control pollution, a Chinese newspaper reported Saturday.

The 101 Research Institute of the Ministry of Civil Affairs has completed a draft regulation which aims to limit emissions from incinerators used at crematoriums, the Beijing News reported.

Dioxin, a dangerous pollutant, will likely be a control target once the draft is approved by government, the report said.

The institute also confirmed it was spearheading the development of  new technology to help crematoriums reduce emission of dioxin, a project being sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Reduction of dioxin emissions in the funerals service sector is part of China's fulfillment of its international duty to control persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the institute said.

The 101 institute is China's leading research body in technology and products for the funerals service sector. It also undertakes environmental evaluation work for funeral services providers.

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Cremation and the burning of items used in funerals and memorial services, such as clothing for the deceased and wreaths, is emerging as a new source of air pollution in China, said Li Bosen, deputy director of the institute.

Dioxin and other pollutants from incinerators can be as dangerous as those discharged by chemical and steel industry plants, Li said.

China in 1991 published a regulation on pollution control for the cremation services sector, but did not include dioxin emissions limitations.

More than 60 percent of the total incinerators in China, approximately 3,950, would need to be upgraded in order to meet the new environmental standards, Li said.

Institute statistics show 80.61 million bodies were cremated at more than 1,700 crematoriums across China between 1978 and 2008.

Besides cremation, the burning of items used at memorial services for the deceased according to Chinese tradition is also an environmental concern, Li said.

About 98 percent of funeral parlors and cemeteries lacked the necessary facilities to treat the burnt items, Li said.