UNDERTAKERS have warned they will have to extract filled teeth from dead people before cremation to meet new environmental regulations.

Restrictions on mercury levels entering the atmosphere means that amalgam fillings will have to be removed before bodies are cremated.

The only alternative is to install expensive equipment that will filter out dangerous toxins from incinerated mercury. Some crematoriums have said they cannot afford the machines, which cost £300,000. Those that can would have to pass on the cost to customers, raising the price of a cremation by about £75 to £375.

“Removing teeth with fillings would be the easiest solution,” said Bill Stanley, a spokesman for the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management in Scotland.

“Pacemakers are routinely removed before a body is cremated as they explode when subjected to high temperatures.

“The concerns are that the public wouldn’t wear it but they don’t know about the issue and it needs to be raised. We need to discuss it more fully but it’s feasible and members of our organisation wouldn’t have any problems carrying out the work.”

Mercury emissions have been linked with birth defects, kidney disease and multiple sclerosis. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, crematoriums will become the single biggest mercury polluters in the UK unless urgent action is taken. By 2020, it is predicted they will account for more than 35% of mercury emissions, three times the levels from coal burning. The emissions problem occurs when amalgam fillings are melted down.

Although used by dentists for 150 years — they are hard-wearing, long-lasting and cheaper than alternatives such as plastic — there has been growing concern over the damaging health effects of mercury absorption on the human body.

Airborne particles can be inhaled, can contaminate watercourses and are easily absorbed by plants and wildlife.

There are 40,000 cremations carried out in Scotland each year. The problem of mercury emissions is particularly bad in the west of Scotland, where poor dental health means that a high proportion of the population has fillings.

Under the new proposals, part of the UK’s commitment to the Kyoto accord to cut world pollution from toxic chemicals and vapours, crematoriums will be expected to reduce mercury emissions by 50%.

Existing buildings will have seven years to meet targets and new ones will have to do so immediately. Those conducting fewer than 750 cremations a year have until 2012.

Gordon Christie, director of the Moray crematorium in Buckie, fears the new regulations could put him out of business. The crematorium is situated in a converted 19th- century church. Because the building has listed status, he would not get planning permission to build an annexe to house a filtration system.

“I have suggested removing teeth as a possible solution because the implications of installing this system are costly and will make our business unviable,” he said.

Mary Scanlon, the Conservative MSP and member of the health and community care committee which has taken evidence in private from Scottish funeral directors, said: “The cost of filtering will be prohibitive. It will add considerably to every funeral. The only economic alternative is to extract teeth — something they would not be keen to do.”

The Scottish executive said: “We expect to issue our guidance before the end of the month. It is expected that crematoria should install equipment to cut mercury emissions by 50% by 2012.”

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