CCO CCO Cremation Chemistry & Biology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which gas is the primary byproduct of complete combustion of organic tissue during cremation?
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) (Correct answer)
- Methane (CHâ‚„)
- Hydrogen sulfide (Hâ‚‚S)
Correct answer: Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚)
Complete combustion of organic carbon compounds produces carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) and water vapor as the primary byproducts.
Question 2: Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions indicate which condition in the cremation chamber?
- Complete and efficient combustion
- Incomplete combustion due to insufficient oxygen or temperature (Correct answer)
- Excess oxygen in the chamber
- Normal operation of the afterburner
Correct answer: Incomplete combustion due to insufficient oxygen or temperature
Carbon monoxide is produced during incomplete combustion when there is insufficient oxygen or temperature to fully oxidize carbon to COâ‚‚.
Question 3: What biological hazard concern is primarily associated with handling human remains before cremation?
- Radiation exposure
- Bloodborne pathogen exposure (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B/C) (Correct answer)
- Chemical burns from body fluids
- Allergic reactions to embalming fluid
Correct answer: Bloodborne pathogen exposure (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B/C)
Bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C present the primary biological hazard when handling unembalmed human remains.
Question 4: At what temperature are most pathogens, including prions, destroyed during cremation?
- Pathogens are destroyed at 200°F (93°C)
- All pathogens including most prions are inactivated at cremation temperatures above 1400°F (760°C) (Correct answer)
- Prions survive all cremation temperatures
- Pathogens require chemical treatment, not heat, for destruction
Correct answer: All pathogens including most prions are inactivated at cremation temperatures above 1400°F (760°C)
Cremation temperatures above 1400°F (760°C) inactivate virtually all pathogens, including most prions, through thermal denaturation of proteins.
Question 5: Why are silicone implants (e.g., breast implants) a consideration during cremation?
- They increase cremation efficiency
- They can release toxic fumes and leave residue that must be managed (Correct answer)
- They cause the retort to overheat
- They are radioactive
Correct answer: They can release toxic fumes and leave residue that must be managed
Silicone implants can release toxic fumes during combustion and leave residue in the retort that must be documented and properly managed.
Question 6: What is the primary reason bone fragments must be processed (pulverized) after cremation?
- To destroy DNA evidence
- To reduce the remains to a consistent, fine texture expected by families and required by regulation (Correct answer)
- To remove heavy metals
- To sterilize the remains
Correct answer: To reduce the remains to a consistent, fine texture expected by families and required by regulation
Bone fragments are pulverized to produce the fine, consistent cremated remains that families expect and that regulations in many states require as a standard practice.
CCO CCO Cremation Chemistry & Biology 2
Which gas is the primary byproduct of complete combustion of organic tissue during cremation?