Mortician Sues over Exposure to Formaldehyde and Other Chemicals

Cinnaminson, NJ, December 6, 2012
 
A lawsuit was recently filed in Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey. In the lawsuit, a 38 year old mortician suffering from leukemia contends that embalming fluid manufacturers knew, or should have known, that the formaldehyde in the fluids raised cancer risks. It also claims that the mortician’s employer failed to provide him with accommodations to properly handle the chemicals.
 
Formaldehyde has been used for many years as a key component of embalming fluid. It typically makes up from 5 to 50% of the fluid. A typical embalming requires three or more gallons of the solution.  Embalmers working with these fluids could be at risk if the proper personal protective equipment is not used and the work environment is not properly ventilated.
 
According to a document posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer. The cancer of greatest concern is cancer of the nose and throat. Scientific research has not yet shown that a certain level of formaldehyde exposure causes cancer. However, the higher the level and the longer the exposure, the greater the chance of getting cancer. Exposure to formaldehyde might increase the chance of getting cancer even at levels too low to cause symptoms.” The Department of Health and Human Services named formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen in its 12th Report on Carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
 
“Formaldehyde can also be found in many homes, offices, and even schools,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, a leading formaldehyde testing laboratory. “It is used to make many building materials, household products, and even some clothes. EMSL provides the latest testing methods to determine if people in their homes, or workers that utilize formaldehyde, are being exposed to unsafe levels of this chemical.”
 
EMSL has sponsored a video about the hazards associated with formaldehyde in the indoor environment.  It can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/yD4pTC8GVpE
 
For information about testing for formaldehyde or other indoor air quality (IAQ)
services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com