Mortuaries and undertakers produce large volumes of clinical wastes. Much of this is liquid waste that would have previously been discharged to foul sewer, but with concerns about discharge of fluids containing residues of embalming fluids these should now be managed as solidified liquid chemical wastes having an additional chemical property that necessitates high temperature incineration. I would be surprised if that actually happens.

Solid wastes should be treated as all other clinical wastes. However, a news report from Australia refers to “shonky” funeral operators who have been hiding solid wastes in the coffin, presumably beneath the body, to avoid disposal costs!

“Infectious medical waste is being buried with the dead by shonky funeral operators trying to cut costs.

“A Sunday Mail investigation has revealed that rogue funeral operators are ignoring public health risks* and ripping off grieving families.

A mandatory code of conduct is being proposed, which will provide a framework for regulation.

I wonder, do the clinical waste volumes from undertakers match levels activity? Is this a common problem, and are the regulators aware of this happening outsde this cabal of “shonky” Australian undertakers. I wager it is a common occurrence.

* What on earth is the public health risk associated with some volume of clinical waste that isn’t the case also for the body itself?