A laboratory study of the pollution of formaldehyde in cemeteries (South Africa)

Determination of Formaldehyde from Disposal of Formaldehyde Fixed Biological Specimen Buried in Soil

“…In fact, formalin concentration for each Point A, B, and C appears to raise drastically on the second sampling and begins to drop gradually for subsequent sampling over time. In the previous study, the highest amount of formaldehyde was leached in the sandy soil at the 24 weeks was 140.2 mgL -1 , which was lower compared to the highest concentration of formalin that was found in this study (van Allemann et al 2018). The highest concentration of formalin was recorded after 12 weeks burial of dead biological specimen at Point C was 175.10 mgL -1 .…”

“…The control soil as in Point A is however identified as the source of the formaldehyde itself, since there still has concentration of formalin too. Besides, previous study has proven that the total amount of formaldehyde leached from loamy soil much lower compared to sandy soil (van Allemann et al 2018). That was the factor why concentration of formalin at Point A were lower compared to Point B and Point C. However, the concentration of formalin itself would remain longer in loamy soil.…”

“…Table 4 shows a statistical difference analysis among soil samplings and absorbance values for formaldehyde concentration. The significant difference (p<0.05) was found between sample A and B, and also between A and C. A study conducted by van Allemann et al (2018) has proven that the major sources of soil or water pollution in the cemetery area may be due to the human body, embalming fluid and coffin materials which may contain potential toxic and hazardous metals that seeping down into the ground. The research findings were similar to what have been reported on this study.…”

“…The highest concentration of formalin was recorded after 12 weeks burial of dead biological specimen at Point C was 175.10 mgL -1 . The high concentration of formaldehyde in the soil at sampling site was believed came from the packaging materials of biological specimens such as plastics (van Allemann et al 2018). The Material Safety Data Sheet of Polypropylene (Plastic) states that plastics are usually made of polypropylene and contain traces of formaldehyde.…”

Estudio de Necrosoles y suelos de cementerio

“…En estudios de laboratorio bajo condiciones controladas con diferentes tipos de suelo, hay simulaciones con diferentes condiciones ambientales, para estudiar la lixiviación potencial del formaldehido, derivado del enterramiento de cuerpos embalsamados, y la capacidad de contaminar agua subterránea, atendiendo al tema de los fluidos, como un elemento clave de la investigación en cementerios y del impacto de la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas y suelos. [33].…”