myths vs facts heads up woodstock!
TRANSCRIPT
Dissecting and Disputing Claims Made - Newshttp://www.cherokeetribune.com/view/full_story/26712165/article-Funeral-Home-to-open-early-next-year--Neighboring-residents-voice-their-objections-to-plans-for-crematory?instance=home_top_bullets#ixzz3dpDl2pMq
“I did my homework on everything and zoning was the first question,” he said. “I didn’t want to get a rezoning like I was trying to get a favor.”
It appears that Poole searched high and low for a piece of property that would fit all his desired needs: 1. To have “zoning approval” not be an issue due to public outcry or the discretion of the board and 2. To be located on a busy corridor, surrounded by neighborhoods that will become his target market. FACT: It’s getting harder and harder to get a crematory approved when the community has any say in the matter. Funeral Directors want to own Funeral Homes near residents because they know most people do not want to think about death until it happens and are most likely to choose their “neighborhood funeral guy.”
“Poole said neighbors’ fears are unfounded. He provided the Tribune with several research sources on the possible effects of crematory emissions, including a letter written in 2010 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to Congress. It states that, in 2005, the total estimate of global mercury emissions was 1,930 metric tons, and of that, cremation accounts for 1 percent.” The letter from the EPA to Congress was in response to the letter from Congress telling them that THEIR ESTIMATES ARE WRONG, that the actual amount of mercury being emitted is ELEVEN TIMES HIGHER and instructing them to UPDATE their information with regards to mercury from crematoria. While cremation amounts to a small percentage of overall mercury pollution, almost ALL other major sources of mercury emissions are being regulated and must comply with the Clean Air Act.Crematories are the only industry getting a free pass.
“Dental amalgam use in the U.S. is gradually declining because the incidence of dental decay is decreasing and because improved substitute materials are now available,” the letter states. “There remains a lack of good empirical data on the magnitude of mercury emissions from crematoria. At this time, no federal or state regulations restrict mercury emissions from crematoria.”This is a myth. Actually, dental amalgam use is not really going down. Many dentists still use it in filling back teeth because it is more durable and cheaper. Poor people by far get the majority of amalgam fillings, because Medicaid will not pay for composites. Baby Boomers, the largest generation (78M) have the most amalgam fillings of any population group, they are the ones who will be dying over the next 30 years and they are also the most likely to choose cremation as their final disposition.
The results from a 1999 EPA study show “crematories are capable of low emissions without the use of additional pollution control equipment,” according to the Cremation Association of North America.
The “EPA study” they are referring to here is NOT a study. It was a test series done at Woodlawn crematory in the Bronx NY, which was done to test the effectiveness of a wet scrubber on reducing crematory emissions.
They completely ignored the disclaimer …
“That study, it said, showed the levels of carbon monoxide emitted by crematories was well below state standards, that the level of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide were within acceptable limits and that the average hydrogen chloride emission was 0.15 pounds per hour of operation. Particulate matter emission was so low, the study said, that a scrubber had no effect. Average mercury emission was .23 grams per hour of operation. ”
Again, the test series was run to see if a scrubber helped cut down emissions. Guess what? It does! But no other crematories in the US are required to use wet scrubbers. There are no laws requiring them. This was just a test to see if they helped! They do. However, .23 grams mercury per hour of operation is not an insignificant amount. It amounts to 230 milligrams or 230,000 micrograms per hour. Not many would want to be nearby. How many hours will this crematory operate? Will he install a wet scrubber? Important questions. There are no laws that will require him to.
“The CANA study quotes EPA environmental scientist Alexis Cain as saying “I don’t’ think it’s a risk to people who live near crematoriums.” That study states the average cremation of a body with amalgam emits as much mercury as contained in 156 compact fluorescent lamps.” https://no2crematory.wordpress.com/cfl-comparison/
2.9 grams per cadaver = 580 CFL bulbs
Poole said current estimates show that rate of cremation has risen to “55 to 60 percent” of the deceased in the U.S.
• US Average 42%• Georgia 32%• Highest US States over 70%• Nevada 74%• Projected 50% national average by year 2020.
“You can’t afford to build a funeral home without a crematory these days,” he said. He provided a letter from the manufacturer of cremation equipment, which said it operates without smoke or odor and meets all state and local environmental regulations.What is he talking about? Crematories are not standard accessories for funeral homes! There are over 700 funeral homes in Georgia, and close to 100 crematories. That’s about a 1 to 7 ratio. Certainly not standard.I would counter that it is far more costly and difficult to open a funeral home WITH a crematory, considering the public opposition is so great to these things.OF COURSE he has a letter from the manufacturer that claims they don’t smoke or smell …
http://www.nizkor.org/hweb/camps/auschwitz/crematoria/cremation-008.html
All crematories have the potential to smoke, and smell. NO matter how fancy, shiny and new.This has a lot to do with the corpse being burned. Obese, morbidly obese corpses cause them to smoke and smell.
Google crematory smoke, there are dozens …
Here’s just another one ….
“Our equipment operates without smoke or odor,” said Dr. Steve Looker, an environmental engineer with B&L Cremation Systems Inc. He said the equipment has built-in pollution detection equipment and that noise is not detectable from outside the building. Looker said the equipment has “far lower emission levels” than the combustion of an automobile or a diesel truck.”
https://no2crematory.wordpress.com/diesel-comparison/
This is just blatantly untrue …
“I do understand why they are concerned, but the county BoC has no authority to do anything,” he said. “The zoning for this property was more than 20 years ago. A funeral home and crematory are allowed, and there are no violations of any county ordinance.”
How many of the current subdivisions were built in the last 20 years? Perhaps relying on decades old zoning that was likely put in place before many of the current residents were built is not the best idea in an area so heavily populated. I disagree with the notion that BOC is powerless in this matter.What about ordinances like nuisance? That would be a violation.
(Macedonia) “The planning commission narrowly recommended approval but the BoC turned it down unanimously, with Poole voting no. Poole said Etowah High School is much farther from his proposed funeral home. It is, however, in sight, at the crest of Eagle Drive. ”What about the schools across from this location? They don’t count?Poole voted against it because that would have been competition for his business which he had in mind when this went down.Also, this was a stand alone crematory. Funeral Directors despise stand alone crematories. They are competition, and if people choose direct cremation they can cut the funeral director completely out, saving thousands.
“Poole, however, said his property rights should be respected, as well. He has obtained a Federal Small Business Administration loan for $2.5 million he said, in his own and his wife’s name, through Northside Bank in Cartersville. Thompson is on the board of that bank.”
It is true that Poole has property rights, but they do not supersede the rights of all of his many neighbors. His business will be a nuisance. He does not have a right to impose a nuisance on his neighbors, regardless of if he can make it appear “legal.” A business can be legal, and still considered a nuisance.
Isn’t it nice to have friends on the board of financial institutions that can guarantee approval on a loan for which business the friend also has a vested interest?