WHY THIS SHOULD BE IN EVERY PREP ROOM!
Our Safety Matters As Much As Our Service To Families!
Fellow embalmers—we have all been gassed out of our prep rooms by hazardous fumes. To make it even worse, funeral professionals, especially embalmers, have an increased risk of leukemia and brain cancer compared with the general population.[1]
The safety of formaldehyde is super complicated. It occurs naturally and is “an essential intermediate in cellular metabolism in mammals and humans.”[2] Formaldehyde is innately gaseous at room temperature (vapourization temperature is only -19°C) and when exposed to air toxic fumes are produced. Although it is not acutely toxic (inhalation of many milliliters is tolerated[3]) the main concerns are associated with chronic (long term) exposure by inhalation. To keep the formaldehyde from polymerizing (into paraformaldehyde crystals or other less effective chemicals) methanol is added to the solution to stabilize it. Methanol has a vapourization temperature of 65°C and as hot as it gets in the summer, I don’t think we will ever experience that type of heat. The problem with using methanol to stabilize formaldehyde is the potential for oxidation. When it is exposed to air it actually becomes formaldehyde, which is a gas at room temperature! It’s a catch-22. Until now!
For Chemistry Geeks Here Is The Equation For The Oxygenation Of Formaldehyde:
2CH3OH + O2 →2 CH2O + 2 H2O
Genelyn Canada embalming chemicals were created with two goals—the increased health and safety of the embalmer, and the effective preservation and sterilization of the deceased with a more natural result. Families do not appreciate that rock hard loved one and firmness is not necessary for confirmation of a “properly” embalmed body. Colour, texture and distribution is. Families will appreciate a more natural looking and feeling deceased and will be far more likely to choose viewing and embalming for themselves or other loved ones. All studies show that a viewing is part of the overall healing process through grief. Embalming effectively and safely is a key factor in making this customary again.
Lenin has been preserved and displayed since 1924.
I launched Genelyn Canada with, and for, these same two objectives— the increased health and safety of the embalmer, and the effective preservation and sterilization of the deceased with a more natural result. We don’t do this to get sick at work and we definitely don’t do it to get rich, it’s all about the families!
[1] Butticè, Claudio (2015). “Solvents”. In Colditz, Graham A. (ed.). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society (Second ed.). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc. pp. 1089- 1091. doi:10.4135/9781483345758.n530. ISBN 9781483345734.
[2] Günther Reuss, Walter Disteldorf, Armin Otto Gamer, Albrecht Hilt “Formaldehyde” in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a11_619
[3] “Medical Management Guidelines for Formaldehyde”. Archived from the original on 2009-12-08.
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Karl Wenzel
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Karl is a graduate of Fountain National Academy of Professional Embalming Skills. Karl is also a member the Board of Directors of the FNA Embalming Scholarship Fund is the Academy’s Canadian Ambassador. Karl is also the Canadian Ambassador for the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Karl received the Distinguished Professional Service award, and was an examiner for the Ontario Board of Funeral Services. He has held licenses in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta and Tennessee.
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