People wanting to show respect for the deceased by burning funeral artefacts might give more than they expect: toxic fumes from plastics that threaten the health of those who are still alive. Burning offerings is a traditional ritual to comfort the dead. Originally just basic products such as paper houses and paper money were used but artefacts now extend to rifles, vehicles, jewellery, underwear, false teeth, musical instruments and even birthday cakes. Manufacturers of the offerings say plastic is more commonly used than before to make them look real. 'The growing expectation from clients has prompted us to improve the appearance of products,' said Ng Shuk-kuen, manager of Tin Chau Hong Worshipping Material. Her company is a major funeral artefacts manufacturer and retailer. The Sunday Morning Post found many products, such as an XO wine bottle, glasses, birds' nest and egg tarts, are made of plastic. 'We know the burning of plastic offerings will release odorous smoke and we do suggest the clients remove the plastic part before burning them.' Ms Ng said, adding that the plastic was only a small part of the whole offering. But a scientist, an environmentalist and a lawmaker all had grave concerns about the release of toxins, especially dioxin, during the burning process. Cai Zhongwei, the director of the Dioxin Analysis Laboratory at Hong Kong Baptist University, said the release of toxic dioxin was 'very likely' if the plastic was burned at a temperature less than 900 degrees Celsius. Exposure to high levels could cause cancer and damage to the immune system. Greenpeace campaign manager Edward Chan Yue-fai said the use of plastic was 'absolutely unnecessary and harmful to the environment'. Mr Chan said the temperature of the chimney in the funeral parlour was usually less than 300 degrees and workers there would suffer from inhaling dioxin and furan, another cancer-causing chemical. Legislator Leung Yiu-chung said plastic was not the only choice for manufacturers wanting to make their products look more realistic. 'Manufacturers can use paper, the conventional material, to make the same thing, although it may require more time and skill. They simply choose a more convenient way,' Mr Leung said. 'The degree of respect for the dead does not depend on how genuine the artefacts look.' Mr Leung said the emission of toxic fumes was not only a problem for residents near funeral parlours, but also threatened the health of the workers there. 'The workers are exposed to the toxic fumes every day and they have no choice but to stay there,' he said, adding he had received complaints from a funeral parlour worker. An Environmental Protection Department spokesman said laws prohibited open burning, but he did not say whether the burning of plastic funerary artefacts was allowed. An Environmental Hygiene Department spokesman said the practice was not banned. Fuming about the issue The number of complaints about air pollution from funeral parlours received by the Environmental Protection Department in the past two years: 34
