Help White Marsh Families Fight Pollution
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The White Marsh Cowenton Improvement Association is advocating on behalf of our residents who are passionately opposed to construction of a crematory which will operate daily within their neighborhood. White Marsh is a community of growing families, retired households, elderly and disabled who have joined together in opposition to a proposed crematory as close as 250 ft from someone's residence. The crematory operator has deep pockets and we need your help to protect our community from additional pollution in White Marsh.
Please see below for additional information -
The White Marsh Cowenton Improvement Association (WMCIA) and the community it represents urgently needs your help!
We are actively fighting the construction of a crematorium that may emit up to 5 pounds of human waste particulates daily into our community.
The location for the proposed crematorium is within 250' of homes and 500' of a daycare playground, a recreational basketball court and baseball field and 3 restaurants with outdoor seating.
No one ever thought anyone would dream of building a crematorium inside our residential area. Besides the immediate effects crematory emissions will have on our neighborhood, we worry this will set a precedent in MD and permit existing funeral homes inside of communities to operate a crematory, with little to no input from the community.
We are homeowners without deep pockets who are fighting a business and industry with substantially more resources. This is why we need your help.
We’ve had discussions with an attorney and our best chance of keeping this unwanted business out of our neighborhood is by winning a pending appeal with the Baltimore County Court of Appeals. Unfortunately, attorney fees are steep – residents and local business owners are contributing what we can towards legal costs, but fighting to keep our air clean will be an expensive undertaking. We simply cannot do this without your help.
Any amount you can contribute to help us is greatly appreciated.
If you'd like to learn more about the dangers to our community, here is some more information and a link to the docket with the permit application.
More detailed information on the toxic chemicals emitted through crematory exhaust, as well as legislative efforts to protect our community is compiled below.
In a nutshell, Evans Funeral Chapel is planning to construct and operate a crematory at 11543 Philadelphia Rd, which is within the White Marsh-Cowenton Improvement Association boundaries. The proposed crematory location will be within a 500 ft air radius of a daycare facility, 14 mobile homes, 9 local businesses and 10 single family homes.
In fact, there are 2 daycare facilities with outdoor play areas, 27 mobile homes, 59 single family homes, 18 local businesses and 2 churches in just a 1000 ft air radius of the proposed crematory site. The proposed crematory site is surrounded by hundreds of recently built homes; homes purchased before the idea of constructing a crematory was ever a thought.
Local residents and business owners are extremely concerned because crematory emissions contain Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), combustion gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (Nox) sulfur dioxide (SO2), fine particulate matter (PM), volatile organic chemicals (VOC), organic pollutants including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/DFFs), co-planar polychlorinated biphenyls (co-PCBs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).
HAPs can cause cancer, reproductive effects, birth defects, and damage to the immune, neurological, respiratory, and developmental systems. HAPs are also known as toxic air pollutants and can come from natural sources like forest fires and volcanic eruptions, but most come from human-made sources like vehicles, factories, power plants, and incinerators.
Heavy Metals such as Mercury (Hg) arising from volatilization of Hg in dental amalgam in fillings and from various metals in the tissues of an individual. The cremation of human remains is a significant source of Hg emissions due to dental fillings and Hg contained in human blood/tissues. In 2020 alone, human cremations resulted in the emission of approximately 2.3 tons of Hg!
The number of cremations performed annually in Maryland are increasing significantly and are expected to exponentially increase through the next 2 decades.
The Clean Air Act of 1970 required the EPA to set National Emission Standards for HAPs (NESHAPS). Major emitters of HAPs must obtain air permits. Crematories operating in Maryland must obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Air & Radiation Department.
In the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), crematories are regulated as incinerators in an air quality rule entitled: Control of Incinerators [COMAR 26.11.08]. However particulate matter is the only crematory air pollutant with a specific emission limit in COMAR. Shockingly, there are NO LIMITS OR CONTROLS for CO, CO2, Nox, SO2, VOCs, PCDDs/DFFs, co-PCBs, PCDFs and PAHs.
MDE does NOT require Stack Tests or Emission Measurements.
According to air permit applications filed with MDE, crematory
owners state that air pollutant emissions produced by crematories include hydrochloric acid, mercury, heavy metals, dioxins and furans, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.
However, MDE does not require stack tests, emission monitors or any other type of measurement to determine whether crematory incinerators are meeting the emission limits specified in COMAR.
A 2020 Field Inquiry on crematory emissions and their impact on air quality studied the topic of crematory emissions on public health. The pollutants of most concern were PCDDs/DFFs, Hg and fine PM. According to the study, PCDDs/DFFs and Hg are known to be toxic to humans and can bioaccumulate in tissues. PCDDs/DFFs are classified as possible human carcinogens, while Hg is a neurotoxin. Exposure to PM/fine PM can reach deep into the lungs, increasing the risks of heart disease, lung cancer, asthma and adverse birth outcomes, as well as exacerbating other conditions such as diabetes.
Unlike other types of incinerators, crematory incinerators have no pollution monitors to track pollution levels or measure whether stack exhaust meets regulatory emission limits. There are also no filters or controls on these units to limit hazardous air pollutants created during combustion.
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) advise that care should be taken to limit exposure, particularly for vulnerable populations such as babies, children, pregnant women, and then elderly.
Despite this, there are no minimum separation distances at the federal level, and instead regional or municipal authorities determine minimum setbacks based on environmental conditions. Unfortunately, neither Maryland nor Baltimore County has legislation to limit exposure to vulnerable populations. Additionally, MDE has not updated air quality regulations pertaining to crematories in over 30 years (last updated in 1991).
In 2023, Baltimore County Councilman David Marks introduced Bill 23-25, a Bill which would have imposed a 500 ft setback between crematories and vulnerable areas within Baltimore Co., similar to legislation passed in Sacramento, CA. Unfortunately the Baltimore County Council tabled Bill 23-25 before taking a vote, effectively killing the Bill.
White Marsh already bears the burden of air pollution via vehicle exhaust from Interstate 95, Route 40 (Pulaski Highway) and Rt 7 (Philadelphia Rd). The proposed crematory site is just a quarter of a mile from I-95, a known non-attainment area, which means this interstate corridor is NONCOMPLIANT with The Federal Clean Air Act of 2016.
There are currently 3 landfills within less than 2 miles of the proposed crematory site; Eastern Sanitary Landfill, 0.75 miles away; Days Cove C&D Landfill, 1.8 miles away, and Honeygo Reclamation Center C&D Landfill (HRC), 1.8 miles away. HRC is currently out of compliance with COMAR and MDE regulations and has been a significant contributor to the negative air quality in White Marsh by releasing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) into the air. HRC recently applied for a 5-year renewal permit, a process which involves NO public input; Once a permit is granted it seems impossible to have it withdrawn.
Evans Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services is proposing to install one (1) 175 pounds per hour, Matthews ES PPII Plus human crematory, fired with natural gas, at their facility. The Matthews ES PPII Plus human crematory will be equipped with a secondary combustion chamber capable of meeting at least a 1.0 second retention time and a minimum operating temperature of 1600 ºF.
(Crematory equipment is fueled by natural gas, and the burning natural gas releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants like nitrogen oxides and methane. This contributes to smog and air quality issues depending on the emission controls in place, or lack thereof.)
The Matthews ES PPII Plus human crematory must be equipped with temperature sensors and monitors to continuously measure and record the temperature of the secondary combustion chamber. The unit must also be equipped with an opacity sensor interlocked with a control system that
continuously monitors the stack gases for visible emissions during operation and adjusts cremation operations to prevent visible emissions from exiting the crematory stack. Exhaust gases must be vented out of a stack at a height of at least 37 feet from the ground to ensure proper dispersion of exhaust gases.
Unfortunately, each chemical of concern produces no visible emissions and aren’t monitored! Basically, their equipment is designed to monitor emissions that can be seen, but none of the dangerous, toxic emissions are visible! Here are just a few:
Benzene (C6H6) is a substance produced from unburnt fuel during the combustion process. Benzene is highly toxic and long-term exposure has been linked to leukeumia. Produces NO VISIBLE Emissions.
Carbon Dioxide(CO2) reduction is a main goal of governments around the world, since it is a dangerous greenhouse gas. Produces NO VISIBLE Emissions
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas caused by an incomplete combustion process, and can be extremely harmful. It has been known to cause irritations such as headaches and respiratory problems, and can be lethal in closed spaces. Produces NO VISIBLE Emissions.
Nitrogen Oxide (Nox) is produced by any type of combustion. It is oxidized in the atmosphere and is a major contributing factor to Acid Rain. It has been known to cause lung irritation and reduce the immune system response. Produces NO VISIBLE Emissions.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is a combustion gas that forms fine particulate matter and is a major health risk, particularly to children. Produces NO VISIBLE Emissions.
Particulate Matter (PM) is a byproduct of combustion. Tiny particles smaller than one tenth the diameter of a human hair can cause serious respiratory conditions, as the PM penetrates deep into the lungs. FINE PARTICULATE MATTER IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE. PM is approximately 2.5 micrometers in diameter, smaller than a single human hair, and is only visible as haze when large amounts are present. As such, they can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues.
To be clear, NO ONE is opposed to cremation. Rather, residents and business owners are concerned about the location of the proposed crematory, given the close proximity to open air eateries, daycare facilities, and other community based businesses.
Hazardous air pollutants do not belong within 180 ft of mobile homes, 220 ft from daycare/rec center, or <300 ft from a residential home. In fact, within a 750 ft air radius of the proposed crematory site there are 2 daycare facilities along with attached outdoor play areas, 27 mobile homes, 17 local businesses, 29 single family homes and a church. Plain & Simple, hazardous air pollutants don’t belong anywhere near a residential area.
From an Environmental Justice standpoint, White Marsh currently suffers from polluted air, polluted streams/rivers, and polluted soil. We don’t need to add crematory emissions to the air we breathe.
The air quality in White Marsh is polluted as evidenced by I-95 being a federal non attainment area, as well as the chronic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure from HRC.
Natural Water Quality in White Marsh is also deficient, as evidenced by The Bird River being “the most sediment polluted river in the state of Maryland.” The Bird River is within 1.5 miles of the proposed crematory. The Big Gunpowder Falls, situated less than a mile from the proposed crematory, is also polluted according to reports from MDE and The Gunpowder Riverkeeper.
Within 2 miles of the proposed crematory site are Honeygo Run and White Marsh Run, both of which are highly contaminated with bacteria.
Lastly, large portions of the soil in White Marsh are contaminated with heavy metals, VOCs and benzenes. The former Vince’s Junkyard is located less than one mile from the proposed crematory site, while the former Jones Quary is 1.5 miles from the site.
Our main goal right now is trying to pay our legal fees. We have a hearing with the Baltimore Co Board of Appeals on March, 5, 2025. We have appealed the decision that a Baltimore County's Administrative Judge's granted to extend the time limit for Evans' zoning special exception. These are valid from 2 years from the date granted, and theirs would have expired 5/22/2024. This would have effectively started the approval process from scratch.
We are also actively opposed to MDE's tentative approval of the crematory permit and hope to set a precedent that will protect neighborhoods like yours from having a crematory operate within it.
Historically, many funeral homes have been situated in neighborhood settings as a matter of convenience for the communities they serve, and as a residence for those operating
neighborhood. If the Evans Funeral Chapel is successful in building a crematory in our neighborhood, it will set precedent for other funeral homes to construct a crematory in your neighborhood.
Please help us in our advocacy!
Everyone deserves to live in a home free of chemicals and to breath clean air.
Citations
EPA’s 2020 National Emissions Inventory Technical Support Document: Miscellaneous Non-Industrial NEC: Cremation – Human and Animal;
“Technical Information Pertaining to Crematory Incinerators in Maryland,”Lisa Polyak; Environmental Engineer, Environmental Health Sciences and Engineering (EHSE) Directorate. (Master of Health Science, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2010; Master of Science in Engineering, Chemical Engineering; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD; 1987; Bachelor of Science, Chemistry (Cum Laude), Mathematics Minor; Trinity University, Washington DC; 1983)
Co-organizers (2)
Heather Patti
Organizer
White Marsh, MD
Catherine Allen
Beneficiary
Treasurer WMCIA
Co-organizer