Mercury Abatement

Regulations pertaining to cremator emissions are currently undergoing a radical change; Emissions limits have been significantly reduced in respect of some pollutants and new limits introduced in respect of hitherto unregulated flue gas constituents, the most noteworthy being Mercury. Compliance with the new emissions limits can be achieved by filtering the flue gases exiting from cremators (“abating”).

Abatement of flue gases means removing much of the potentially harmful chemical content including Mercury, Dioxins and acid gases; in simple terms, abated emissions are ‘cleaner’ than unabated.

DEFRA has stated that the cremation industry must abate 50% of cremations by 2012.

Whilst many sites have now installed or at least ordered abatement equipment, many have decided to wait until after 2012 and those sites will have to enter into burden-sharing schemes to mitigate their continued emissions.

The good news, however, is that abatement is a very positive process which contributes to reducing atmospheric pollution. Green policies are now very mainstream politics and the public are very aware of green issues. Early adopters of abatement therefore have an opportunity to present themselves as “environmentally friendly” and can potentially charge more for their service. The bereavement industry is fully aware that abatement will inevitably result in increased charge