EU Should Curb Mercury Emissions from Cremations, Campaigners Say
EU should curb mercury emissions from cremations, campaigners say – Environment campaigners are calling for curbs on mercury emissions from human cremations as part of pollution controls that EU authorities will debate this month.
Increased cremation as shortage of land makes burial expensive has coincided with a rise in emissions of the toxic metal from fillings in teeth. An average cremation releases 2 to 4 grams of mercury, data compiled by US researchers shows.
Mercury is associated with mental development problems. After entering the air and then falling in rain, it becomes concentrated in fish that, if eaten during pregnancy, can cause harm to unborn children. Some 200,000 babies are born in the European Union annually with mercury levels harmful to their development, public health researchers have found.
Category: Green Living, News Videos, Videos
