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The Impact on Environmental Health from Cemetery Waste in Middle Tennessee

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick Richardson

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37042, USA)

  • Heather Tillewein

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37042, USA)

  • Joao Antonangelo

    (Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA)

  • Daniel Frederick

    (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37042, USA)

Abstract

The burial of caskets with arsenic-treated wood and formaldehyde-based embalming fluids can harm the environment and health. Arsenic (As) can leach into water, affecting aquatic life and the food chain. Formaldehyde can contaminate groundwater, risking drinking water and causing health problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of As and formaldehyde in cemetery plots of different ages. For this, we evaluated whether there is a potential for formaldehyde and As from cemetery caskets to contaminate waterways, which could impact livestock and allow transmission to individuals. There were six soil samples ( n = 6), collected at 2 m depth, close to the buried caskets, as well as two ( n = 2) groundwater samples (soil + groundwater) collected from a cemetery in Middle Tennessee. The soil was analyzed by an environmental lab using EPA 8315A for formaldehyde and EPA 3050B for As. All samples were below the limit of detection (

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Richardson & Heather Tillewein & Joao Antonangelo & Daniel Frederick, 2024. "The Impact on Environmental Health from Cemetery Waste in Middle Tennessee," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:3:p:267-:d:1346215
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cornelia Jonker & Jana Olivier, 2012. "Mineral Contamination from Cemetery Soils: Case Study of Zandfontein Cemetery, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-10, February.
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