What is the impact of PVC from a bone donors body being cremated? Are there allowable limits on the amount that can be present before unwanted emissions become a problem?
PVC is a chlorinated plastic material which, when cremated, adds to the formation of hydrogen chloride, a pollutant that contributes to acid rain. All chlorinated plastics including PVC should be avoided. Caution should be exercised when knowingly cremating plastics so these cases can be processed as the first of the day, much like an oversized body. Federal standards do not address chlorinated plastic in cremation and few states regulate it. A rule of thumb would be that the plastic content should not exceed more than 5% of the total charge weight.
