This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

DEAD BODIES In Bethel?

Report by Paula Antolini

The town could soon allow a crematorium to operate in Bethel. That's "a crematory facility for the disposal by incineration of bodies" according to the request made to the town from Mr. B. Shawn McLoughlin, owner of Mono-Crete Step Co. of CT, LLC in Bethel, CT, to approve a crematorium.

Apparently this would mean the Planning and Zoning Commission would have to amend the text of the town zoning too, as a special permitted use, to possibly allow this crematorium business to come to Clarke Business Park (formerly Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park) in Bethel, CT.

Besides now having dead bodies (human remains) aboard trucks driving through Bethel roads each month, the larger concern should be about the impact on the air quality in Bethel to humans and animals, and how far the pollution might travel, or if anyone has DONE (or plans on conducting) an air quality impact test. Or has anyone studied crematorium impact data, such as the amount of toxins in crematory emissions (for instance, mercury as a source of pollution through incinerated dental amalgam fillings). There is also a concern about communicative diseases of which the individuals might have passed. I am sure the P&Z and health departments are on top of this, but just bringing up some issues here.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that exposure to mercury/metallic vapor on the human body, even in chronic low doses, can cause all sorts of negative effects in adults, children and animals, such as birth defects in babies, neurological defects, damage or destruction of nerve tissue, effects to the the visual cortex and the cerebellum (brain section that controls movement and balance) and it can permanently damage or fatally injure the brain and kidneys, or cause death.

Mercury concentrations released into the outdoor air is not as much a concern but however when it lands on soil or water via rain or snow, it causes contamination.  "When mercury enters bodies of water, biological processes transform it to methylmercury, a highly toxic and bioaccumulative form. Fish can absorb methylmercury from their food and directly from water as it passes over their gills." (mercola.com)

A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 25 in the Riordan Meeting Room D of the Hurgin Municipal Center at 7 p.m.

Unless people speak up this could be approved.

*****

More info. from mercola.com:  

Toxicology: How Mercury Harms Humans

Elemental (metallic) mercury and its compounds are toxic and exposure to excessive levels can permanently damage or fatally injure the brain and kidneys. Elemental mercury can also be absorbed through the skin and cause allergic reactions. Ingestion of inorganic mercury compounds can cause severe renal and gastrointestinal toxicity. Organic compounds of mercury such as methyl mercury are considered the most toxic forms of the element. Exposures to very small amounts of these compounds can result in devastating neurological damage and death.

For fetuses, infants and children, the primary health effects of mercury are on neurological development. Even low levels of mercury exposure such as result from mother's consumption methylmercury in dietary sources can adversely affect the brain and nervous system. Impacts on memory, attention, language and other skills have been found in children exposed to moderate levels in the womb.

How do people get exposed to mercury?


Air borne mercury is highly toxic when inhaled. How does it get in the air?
Metallic mercury slowly evaporates when exposed to the air. The air in a room can reach contamination levels just from the mercury in a broken thermometer Mercury may be released into the air when coal, oil, or wood are burned as fuel or when mercury-containing wastes are incinerated. The resulting mercury concentrations in outdoor air are usually low and of little direct concern. However, mercury in the air can fall to the ground with rain and snow, landing on soil or in bodies of water, causing contamination. Lakes and rivers are also contaminated when there is a direct discharge of mercury-laden industrial or municipal waste into the water.

When mercury enters bodies of water, biological processes transform it to methylmercury, a highly toxic and bioaccumulative form. Fish can absorb methylmercury from their food and directly from water as it passes over their gills.

*****

What is Cremation? What is the Cremation Process?:

http://sorelymissed.net/cremation-process






We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?