PCD aims to cut down on crematorium emissions

Sunee Piyapanpong, PCD’s deputy director general, said that though the department had changed about 90 per cent of the 310 crematoriums across Bangkok to pollution-free ones in 2012, the PCD will have to inspect their effectiveness regularly and train relevant agencies on how to use them correctly.
“If they do not meet standards and the temperature inside the crematorium does not reach 850 degrees Celsius, they will release smoke, heavy metal, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, dioxins and furan compounds. Dioxins and furan can remain in the environment for a long time and affect living things. They are released from incomplete combustion from the crematorium and can be carcinogenic for human beings. They can affect the nervous, immune and reproductive systems as well as infants,” she said.
“People can help the PCD reduce dioxin and furan-emission by removing the dead person’s personal belongings and other unnecessary objects, like wreaths as well as paper and plastic decorative objects before cremation,” Sunee said.
Dust released from a crematorium should not exceed 100 milligrams/cubic metre, carbon monoxide should not be over 100 milligrams/cubic metre, nitrogen oxide should be no more than 500 milligrams/cubic metre and sulphur dioxide should not be more than 200 milligrams/cubic metre. Smoke density should not exceed 10 per cent, according to Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.