Govt targets crematoriums

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has announced a new rule controlling carbon emissions produced in temple crematoriums to reduce air pollution.

Athapol Charoenshunsa, directorgeneral of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) under the ministry, said it received complaints from people living in communities near temples offering cremation services, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, when a number of bodies were cremated almost daily.

The air pollution near these temples contains carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, hazardous particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), soot and ashes due to incomplete combustion.

Residents living near temples are concerned about the impact of the air pollution on their health, Mr Athapol said.

In response, the ministry announced a rule saying that crematoriums are a source of air pollution and that emissions from them must be controlled to a level that will not harm people’s health, he said. The rule was announced in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday, he said.

The rule is expected to be enforced immediately in Bangkok, Pattaya and other major municipalities. For other areas, the rule will begin to be enforced three years after the announcement was made, he said.

About 25,500 out of 42,655 temples nationwide have crematoriums, with about 8,000 in big cities and 17,500 in other areas.

A PCD survey said most new crematoriums in Bangkok and other major provinces can curb emissions by cremating bodies at 800C, which prevents air pollution, Mr Athapol said.

Old crematoriums in small cities need to be improved, he said.