The Tripod Relationship Between Local Embalmment, Environment and Human Health Implications in Cross River State, Nigeria

The purpose of this paper is to assess the environmental and health implications of local embalmment in Cross River State, Nigeria. The Ex-post-facto research design was adopted for this study. Six embalmment sites from six Local Government Areas were randomly selected across the state from where water and soil samples were taken for laboratory analysis and testing. The environmental impacts, as well as the health implications of local embalmment, were investigated. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied for the physicochemical parameters using a correlation matrix to evaluate factors influencing the groundwater chemistry and sources of pollution in the aquifer of the areas. Some laboratory procedures were also adopted to test the chemistry of the adjoining soils for the impacts of these embalmment chemicals as used by these morticians. A comparative analysis was further done on the different soil samples, the ones directly affected by the immediate mortuary facilities and those away from the facilities. A structured questionnaire made up of twenty items was also administered to the mortuary attendants and residents of the communities and adjoining communities where these embalmment homes are located. Simple percentage and correlation analysis was done to examine the perceived effect of embalmment chemicals on the environment and the health of residents. The results obtained from the laboratory analyses of selected groundwater and soil samples around the mortuary sites studied indicated that formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, humectants, metals, coli forms, microorganisms, and other contaminants from the mortuary sites have impaired the soil and water quality. It was recommended among others that green embalmment procedures should be encouraged, embalmment services should be located far away from residential areas and water bodies; wastes from embalmment/mortuary services should be sustainably disposed of to avoid these chemicals from contaminating the environment.


Introduction
The word embalmment can be defined as a process where biological organisms which are decomposable are prevented from decaying or undergoing biological decomposition through the use of different methods, especially the use of organic or inorganic chemicals to preserve them from decaying or decomposition. To embalm means to preserve (cadaver or corpse) from decaying, originally with spices and now usually by arterial injections of different preservatives. The embalmment of corpses in recent times has become a normal routine in homes, hospitals and in some places a local repository built by untrained or non-professional persons for the purpose of making money. Doing this in a place that was not originally meant to keep and embalm corpses comes with some social, environmental and health concerns, [1]. The main trust of this paper is then to examine how these chemicals used for local embalmment has affected the soils, water, health and environmental conditions of the affected areas.
Environmental Protection Agency's list of the most damaging agent of the environment. Formaldehyde by nature are carcinogenic compounds in humans and animals. This is because the cross-linking or bonding between carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms when encountered with the environment can cause DNA to keep cells from halting the replication process and renders them useless. This unwarranted replication of cells can lead to cancer. Shea [18] found with regrets that unicellular organisms found in the soil and groundwater are also quite sensitive to crosslinking, they experience damage at a concentration of 0.3 mg to 22 mg per liter. Formaldehyde also affects aquatic invertebrates, with crustaceans being the most sensitive type. The range of concentration damaging them is estimated at about 0.4 mg to 20 mg per liter. Studies have also shown that formaldehyde has been known to injure some marine plant life and kill the root systems of some small plants, [13,15,18].
Taking a further look at the effects of embalmment fluid on human health, Dixit, et al. [19] found that vapors emanating from embalmment fluid in the dissection rooms are a perennial cause of irritation to the eye, the mucous membranes of the pharynx, the upper respiratory tract and the mucosal lining of the throat and nostrils. The authors further said, embalmment fluids are poisonous to the skin on repeated contact with the skin [12,13].
However, due to the public outcry on the growing awareness of the negative effects of embalming fluid on the environment and human health, people have become concerned to consider green burials, where there are either no harsh chemicals used in the embalming process, or there is no embalming process at all [15,17]. For those who still want embalmment in the United States, the Champion Company created Enigma has been used as a replacement for previous embalmment fluid. This embalming fluid (enigma) is organic and can be used, if a family insists on embalmment, thus green embalmment fluid like enigma is approved by the Green Burial Association of America. It is worrisome how the use of local embalmment has increased in recent times and what are the effect these chemicals have on the environment and human health? It is on the strength of this submission that this research is designed to assess the environmental and health implications of local embalmment in Cross River State, Nigeria.
The purpose of the study is to:

Study Area
Cross River State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria, located in the South-South Geo-political zone of the country. Cross River State lies between Latitude 5°45′ and 5.750° north of the Equator and Longitude 8°30′ and 8.500°East of the Greenwich Meridian. The state has an estimated landmass of about 20, 156Km 2 with a projected population of about 3.938 million (Google Population projection, 2021). The vegetation of the state is the tropical rainforest, which progresses into the lower part of the state becoming grassland savannah. Cross River state has a tropical climate characterized by a single tropical rainy season. Rain falls from March to November with peaks in June-July and September.
Annual rainfall is generally high throughout the sector decreasing from 3000mm in the south to 2500mm in the northern extremities. Ambient temperatures are high but lower temperatures of about 14 o C -16 0 C daily minima, and 18 o C -25 o C daily maxima are recorded on the highland areas of Obudu plateau and Sankwala Mountains [17,20]. The influence of the relief from the ridge from Sao Tome, Fernada Po, Principe and Equatorial Guinea along the ridge through to Obudu mountains have some influence on rainfall pattern particularly in the southern and northern part of the state. Daytime temperature may reach 35 o C -42 o Cin the dry season and as low as 25 oc -32 oc in the rainy season. Mean annual temperatures are not more than 25 oc. The dominant trade winds are the south-west, tropical maritime moisture-bearing wind which leads to heavy precipitation. In spite of this, the region is richly endowed by nature with a lot of tropical rain forest and fertile soils rich for agriculture and abundant water bodies across the entire state. The terrain is generally low lying, about 300m above sea level.
Major health service providers in the state include General Hospitals across the 18 local government areas, the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Infectious Diseases Hospital, the Psychiatric Hospital and a lot of private clinics across the state owned by individuals and missions. Almost every community owns either a health center or a health post to meet their immediate health needs before getting to a professional medical doctor.

Soils and Vegetation
The soils of the Cross River State are generally feralistic with sandy soils on older sedimentary rocks. These are very thick, clayey, red, porous, permeable, supporting plantation and tuber crop production in some part and poor nutrients and fragile soils in other parts due to the influence of human activities on the forest. A combination of geological events, climatic and relief factors has produced diverse and heterogeneous habitat which support a variety of vegetation types (consequently fauna and flora associations) ranging from cold sub-montane forest and grassland to lowland rainforest, freshwater swamp forest and savannah with gallery forest. Several classification of vegetation type has been done in Cross River State, [21] and Cross River State forestry commission, 2010 in [22].
The Cross River state is characterized by complex strata of vegetation ranging from the tropical high forest, through lowland forest to montane vegetation and to guinea savannah in the northern extremities. The state has saltwater swamps, mangrove forests, and dense tropical rain forest. It is observed that out of the remaining 5.5% tropical rainforest left in the country, Cross River State has a significant portion (4.5%) of the nation's forest resources and supplies a sizable amount of the country's industrial wood for export and domestic markets [23] and Ogunjobi, et al. [22]. The tropical high forest exists in three canopies or layers, the top most layers (the crown) about 15-30 meters high is made up of tall trees with shed mostly hard wood, the middle layer that forms the canopy is made of middle ranged trees. The lower layer that is made up of shorter trees, shrubs and ferns, runners and other crawling plant species covers the forest floor.
The population of Cross River state consists largely of the Efik, Ejagham, Bekwarra and Ekoi peoples. Farming is the predominant occupation of the people of Cross River state and the National Park host communities, Palm oil and kernels, timber, cocoa, and rubber are the major cash crops grown in the area. Major food crops include yam, cassava, rice, and corn (maize), cocoyam, banana, plantain, melon, millet, guinea corn among others. Although, Egbai, et al. [24] observed that a sharp decline of soil nutrients which has resulted in reduced crop yield in Nigeria is increasingly noticeable throughout the country. Majority of the people are hunters, traders, timber dealers, and palm wine tappers, handful of the population are civil/public servants and students Ogunjobi, et al. [22] and Oates [21]. Ethno-botanic surveys revealed that flora and fauna materials play a central role in the day to day living of the various local communities in the state

Water and Soil Sampling Techniques
Randomize systematic sampling techniques was employed to select sampling points (water sources; wells, streams and boreholes) that are spatially distributed within the study area. Water samples from six (6) boreholes, six (6) streams and six (6) hand dug wells were taken from the six different locations that makes up the study area, and respective geographic positioning system (GPS) was taken for each sampling point and landfill site. While the adjoining soils to the mortuary sites were also taken from 18 spots, that is, six spots per study site. The soils are collected thus; from the mortuary site and one from any slope 100M away from the mortuary facilities. Physiochemical and microbial analyses of the water and soil samples collected from the study area were done using established laboratory techniques and procedures. The physico-chemical property analysis of the soils collected was analyzed based on some parameters such as the soil pH, electrical conductivity, texture, moisture, temperature, soil organic matter, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Structured questionnaire made up of twenty items was also administered to the mortuary attendants and residents of the communities and adjoining communities where these embalmment homes are located. Simple percentage and correlation analysis was done to examine the effect of embalmment chemicals on the environment and health of residents.

Statistical Analysis
Multivariate statistical analysis was applied for the physico-chemical parameters using correlation matrix so as to evaluate factors influencing the groundwater chemistry and sources of pollution in the aquifer of the areas. Some laboratory procedures were also adopted to test the chemistry of the adjoining soils for the impacts of these embalmment chemicals as used by these morticians. A comparative analysis was further done on the different soils samples, the one directly affected by the immediate mortuary facilities and those away from the facilities.

Results and Discussion
Physical and chemical property analyses The results of the water sample analysis collected from the field was juxtaposed against the World Health Organization's (WHO) allowable water quality standard and acid concentration, the result of the sampled surface and ground water physical properties are as presented in Table 2. From the result, it is observed that in all sample locations, appearance, odor and turbidity fall within the WHO recommended limits.
Temperature ranged between 28.9 0 C -29.6 0 C below the standard limit set by the WHO, which is between 35 0 C -40 0 C, implying that there is the presence of extraneous materials (bodies) which are foreign or alien to the water bodies such as active micro-organisms [25][26][27]. Though if the cases are considered individually, the mean pH value of respective sample points indicates that the sample for Ikom 6.34 and Gakem, 6.77 are acidic. There might be other reasons for this increased acidic charge for these water samples, but the immediate conclusion is that the formaldehyde used for embalmment has played a role in the increase in the acidic content of the water samples. All other sample points fell within the allowable WHO standard for water quality, 7-7.44. During the analyses of the water samples from different points, it was observed that there were some extraneous materials found in the samples analyzed among which is the presence of the growth of algal bodies within and around the streams and hand dug wells. This could be a suggestion that the chemicals used for embalmment may have recharged the water nutrient content, attempting to increase the nutrient content of the water body, hence paving way for algal bloom and subsequently leading to euthrophication. It is worthy to mention that the results of analysis show similar results for both water and soil samples.
There was some compliance with the chemical properties of the water sample based on the WHO water quality standard, but the presence of trace elements in the sample analyzed became worrisome. While those of Zinc (Zn), Sulphates (S) and Nitrates (N) were 100% in compliance with the WHO standards, other components found in the water sample include formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and methanol, which are the principal composition of the embalmment fluid. Principally, these chemicals are very poisonous and their presence was found in the water samples analyzed. These chemical properties content can be seen on table 3.

Hydrogen Ion Concentration (water pH).
From the result of the chemical properties of the water samples analyzed in table 3, it is observed that the water samples have pH of all the groundwater samples recorded acidic conditions as the borehole and hand-dug well water samples ranged from 6.21-6.42, and 7.90 to 7.99 respectively (table 3). From the result of this analysis, it is found that the hydrogen ion concentration (pH values) is quite different from those reported in earlier studies [8,9,16]. The value shows the presence of acidic content in most underground water sample points (boreholes and hand dug wells) than those reported earlier by Kim, et al. [7]; Williams, et al. [10]; Canninga and Szmigina [3] and Hammer, et al. [28] and Wen-Xiong and Qiao-Guo [27].
In their respective submissions, these authors found that in the assessment of groundwater quality, in the industrial area of Sharada, Kano, the acidic content was beyond the standard set by WHO and NSDWQ. It is possible that the acidic content of the water sample analyzed and the result from this analysis could be attributed to the metal content in the cidex, glutaral and the methanol found in the formaldehyde used as embalmment fluid within the local mortuaries in the study area. It could also be as a result of the presence of heavy metals contaminants present in the leachate emanating from the waste and other waste water buried from the embalmment sites. However, in this study, it has been found that the result of the analysis, water samples from Ikom, Abuochiche, Yala and Gakem mortuary sites, the chemical property level exceeded those recommended by World Health Organization/ National Standard for drinking water quality (WHO) [29] and currently those of USEPA, (2013).

Lead (Pb)
The result of the analysis also showed that lead (Pb) concentration was also higher than the recommended WHO/NSDWQ level in all groundwater samples analyzed. Same result was obtained for the soil samples analyzed. Lead presence in the entire water and soil samples from the different mortuary sites indicated concentration range 0.043 -0.234 mg/L, which is far higher than those of WHO of 0.015 mg/L and that of NSDWQ of 0.01 mg/L respectively. There is the likelihood that the presence of lead (Pb) in the under groundwater samples could be traced to the disposal of lead rich materials from other cleansing agents used in the mortuaries that could have undergone decomposition and subsequently percolated or leached into the underground water thereby polluting the groundwater. By implication, the high concentration of lead (Pb) in the groundwater shows higher level of lead pollution in the water samples. This is in agreement with the findings of Katz and Salem [1]; Chou, et al. [11] and Huang, et al. [2] whose results shows a higher concentration of lead (Pb) content in high concentration in mortuary sites. This is an indication of pollution of ground water and adjoining soils by the presence of high concentration of lead. Though, this result is in disagreement with the finding of Keijzer and Kok [5] who found that lead is not a constituent part of ground water pollution, since its presence is only in minute quantity, hence cannot make any significant contribution to ground water pollution. The high concentration of lead found in this study is also a confirmation of the finding of who found that in their study, the minimum concentration of lead was found to be 0.012 and the maximum concentration levels of lead (Pb) was 0.153mg/L respectively. It is in the light of this submission that Prasad, et al. [30] posited that if people are excessively exposed to Pb in large concentration, it could result in the development of various neuro-developmental challenges; the authors further warned that this could lead to 4.1-fold increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. It is however concluded that the concentration of lead (Pb) found in these water samples were sufficient enough to cause serious health challenges to the people residing within the study sites.

Nitrates
Looking at the concentration of Nitrates in the water and soil samples analyzed, it was found that there was a high concentration of Nitrates in the ground water and in the adjoining soils from hand dug wells, boreholes and streams. The results of the analysis show that the concentration of Nitrates in the groundwater was within the standards and guidelines set by World Health Organization/ National Standard for drinking water quality (WHO) [29]; NSDWQ, (2007) and USEPA, (2013) for water quality.
Results in table 3 shows that the Nitrate concentration ranges from 0.701 to 100 mg/L. Studies have however shown that high nitrate concentration could interfere with the functioning of the red blood cells during the transportation of oxygen within the red blood, thereby causing blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is a medical condition that is usually detected in infants between 12-60 months of birth, [9,16]. Nitrates were higher in Ikom, Biase, Abuochiche and Gakem studied sites, and was lesser at Okpoma, Yala. This could be alluded to the fact that Nitrate is part of the chemicals generated from the release of waste materials including waste water from the mortuary sites. It could also be said that Nitrates are also a constituent part of the chemicals used for the embalmment of corpse.

Cadmium (Cd)
Result of the analysis in table 3 shows that Cadmium, (Cd) concentration range from 0.003 to 0.2 mg/L. From this analysis, it was also observed that Cadmium concentration was far higher than the World Health Organization/ National Standard for drinking water quality (WHO) [29], NSDWQ (2007) and USEPA, (2013) standards and guidelines for allowable water quality limit in all the samples collected from the different sites for analysis (see table  3). Efforts to explain this high level of cadmium concentration points to one thing, the embalmment fluid deposited, the waste generated from the embalmment activities and buried on the ground increased the cadmium concentration. This could be from the plastic containers used in the storage of the chemicals, the polythene used and also from the paint used in the building that houses the mortuary facilities in all the sites where samples were collected for the study. This finding is a confirmation of the earlier finding of Dent and Kent [8]; Kim, et al. [7] and Gonçalves, et al. [31] whose result shows that in most mortuaries and cemeteries, the water and soils within the adjoining areas are usually high in Cadmium concentration. This is so because most of the items including the containers used for these chemicals have high amount of Cadmium used in the production of such containers. Plastics and polythenes are rich in Cadmium, hence the concentration in these water and soil samples from the study sites. This is therefore the source of the Cadmium pollutant in the ground water and soil samples.

Zinc (Zn)
The analysis in table 3 shows that the amount of Zinc found in the water samples analyzed is within the acceptable limits set by WHO, NSDWQ and USEPA. This is so because if a comparison between the WHO/NSDWQ/USEPA standard and guidelines and the result of the analysis, one will observe that that of the study is far less than the standard set by these international organizations. The result shows that Zinc concentration is between 0.028-0.111 mg/L, while that of WHO is 1.5 mg/L and that of NSDWQ is 3.0 mg/L, therefore the concentration of Zn in the study area is minimal as compared to those of WHO and NSDWQ. This result has come to confirm the earlier finding of Williams, et al. [10], Canninga and Szmigina [3] and Ahmed [32] whose studies found that Zn concentration in underground water is minimal in waste dump site, while same is obtainable in cemeteries and mortuaries respectively.

Sulphate (SO 4 )
The result on table 3 shows that Sulphate concentrations in the study area range from 251 to 268 mg/L, as against WHO 250 mg/L and NSDWQ's 150 mg/L. It therefore shows that the Sulphate concentration in the sampled soil and water were higher than the international standards and guidelines for soil and water quality. This shows that there is a high concentration of Sulphate in the underground water from the sampled sites. Further analysis shows that there is a high concentration of Sulphate in ground water, in hand dug well; the sulphate content is 0.56-3.44 mg/L, in stream water, 0.22-0.98 mg/L , while in boreholes, the concentration of sulphate is 0.344-2.98 mg/L. It is however observed that in Ikom, the concentration is 3.55 mg/L, which is also high. Chou, et al. [11] and Huang, et al. [2] found low Sulphate concentration in ground water analyzed from mortuary and cemetery sites., whereas, studies like those of reportedly found even higher concentration of SO 4 as compared to this present study and those of Chou, et al. [11] and Huang, et al. [2] respectively.

Cidex/ Glutaraldehyde
These are disinfectants, others include methanol, ethanol, phenol, humectants and water. The results obtained on the concentration and determination of metals in the groundwater and soil samples assessed in this current study is synonymous with the report of the study conducted by Oyeku and Eludoyin (2010) in Anichkov, et al. [33], on the possibility of soil and groundwater pollution due to the influence of the landfill dumpsite in Ojota, Lagos state. These authors reported higher concentrations of Fe, Pb and Cd in their study compared to the levels detected in this current study.
Remarkably, the current situation in the study area has been reported by Anichkov, et al. [34] as a result of the siting of groundwater sources in areas where indiscriminate mortuaries and waste disposal is rampant which would inevitably lead to soil and groundwater contamination.

Bacteriological Analysis
The bacteriological characteristics of the samples tested are as reported in Table 5. It can be seen in Table 5 that the highest average total count of bacteria detected in all the water samples that were bacteriologically assessed occurs in W3 (12.2.4 x 10 1 CFU/ml), while the lowest average total count recorded can be seen in B3 (9.6 x 10 1 CFU/ml). It can be said that these ground water sources are not potable enough for human consumption as the presence of bacterial counts have negated the zero bacterial count recommended by WHO. However, these results when subjected to statistical analysis revealed that the bacterial counts are not significant (P > 0.5).
The variance is higher than WHO recommended limit which further confirms bacteriological pollution, not limited to human sources and coming perhaps from the activities of the local embalmment's and remains of chemicals and disinfectants or even from grave yard. Used waste water, formaldehyde and disinfectants are discharged into the environment, some buried, others just poured away could contribute to bacteriological pollution; affecting water, soils, other environmental organisms and human health. The results obtained in this study are in concordance with the report submitted by Akinbile (2006); Omofonmwan and Esigbe (2009) cited in Brenner [14] which concluded that the disposal of fecal materials to the public disposal systems (landfill) end up polluting groundwater sources. Lack of functional sewage systems in most sites where these local mortuaries are located contributes to exacerbate the situation.
These results showed that all the six (6) samples do not satisfy the WHO requirements stipulated for the portability of water fit for human consumption and soils for agricultural productivities. The results obtained in this current study are in accordance with the submissions of Udoaka, et al. [35] and Vohra [36] regarding groundwater pollution due to leachate emanating from the embalmment sites (mortuary location). The WHO and NSDWQ standards of 1 and 10 in 100 CFU/ml for other coliforms respectively, have been surpassed by all the water samples analyzed as they all recorded over 1/100 CFU/ml (Table 4).  In the analysis of the combination of chemical used for the embalmment of corpse and their effects on the health of humans, it was established that the most prominent chemicals used in the formulation of the embalmment fluid include Glyoxal (oxaldehyde), Glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, Sodium nitrate, tetrafluoroborate and Phenoxyethanol, Methyl-3-octyloxymethylimidazolium, Phosphonium chloride (Tetrakis or hydroxymethyl) and Boric acid.

Formaldehyde
The result of analysis shows that formaldehyde is one of the most lethal and strongest fungicidal, insecticidal and bactericidal chemical. It is established that prolong usage of this chemical as a currying and preservative agent is premised on the purpose that it is an excellent chemical with its antiseptic properties, preventing the decomposition of organisms. This chemical tans the tissues by preventing the destruction of all delicate tissues or structures. Despite formaldehyde fixation of tissues, its use is widely accompanied with some rigid structure. Formaldehyde has a high level lethal effects between about 8 % of 70% alcohol, this intermediate to high level formaldehyde in water (4-8% formaldehyde in water). This position was earlier posited by Mayer [37] and Eneji, et al. [6]. These authors observed that formaldehyde has a broad spectrum of action on micro-organisms, this destroys the organism's putrefactory capacity when carried by proper agents, thereby permitting its penetration of the organisms. Formaldehyde can also react with protein forming a new variant of chemical compounds called resin which are stable and not fit for food for all organism both the environment and human health.
This chemical is also known for its hardening properties; formaldehyde has various negative effects when used for embalmment. It is used because it hurriedly coagulates blood, converting the tissues to a grey hue once it mixes with the human blood, immediately decolorizing, milking out the fluid in the tissues, convulses the arteries and capillaries. While in living organism, it does same and also effects deteriorating with age with an unpleasant smell. Formaldehyde is a chemical that is highly reactive to aldehyde gas, it is formed through the process if oxidation or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, forming the formaldehyde gas from the combustion of organic matter. This chemical can also be produced through a secondary process in the air from photochemical reactions involving nearly all classes of hydrocarbons pollutant especially during the current trend of climate change (National Toxicological Program, 2010).

Sodium Nitrate
This is a preservative, it is also known as curing salt, it inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi, especially clostridium botulinum preventing botulism by helping to preserve the incurred body

Glutaraldehyde
This finding has come to agree with that of Bedino [38] that glutaraldehyde is also a very reactive dialdehyde, used for various synthesis of chemicals in a more complex laboratory procedure. This study has established that glutaraldehyde exhibited more superior and lethal chemical composition with protein fixing than formaldehyde in numerous perspective. Though, it was used as a sterilizer and disinfectant [38]. It was discovered that glutaraldehyde reacts principally with proteins forming aldol polymers forming in reaction with proteins the aldol polymers of glutaraldehyde react to form α, β-unsaturated amino type reaction products that are highly resonance-stabilized and very resistant to acid hydrolysis and rehydration [38]. Glutaraldehyde appears to react chiefly with the amino groups of lysine, but also tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. This result had come to further confirm the earlier work of De Groot, et al. [39]. This chemical act as irritant to the bronchial and laryngeal mucous membrane and prolong exposure produces localize oedema with eye irritation and contributing to forming glycoma and weaken the allergic capacity of the human system and the eyes.

Boric Acid
This was used for anatomical preservation; it forms borate complex with the carbohydrates residues of glycoproteins in some functional alkaline phosphates. Because of the effects of this chemical, authors like [40] assumed that the boric acid content in Thiel's embalming fluid is responsible for a distinct major modification of the integrity and the alignment of muscle fibers. The muscle fibers had a cut-up 'minced' appearance, but remained aligned; the conjunctive collagen fibrils were undisturbed. This discovery enforced the argument that the acids are well known to have very corrosive effects on proteins and, in this special case, muscle proteins. The only acid present in Thiel's mixture is boric acid, thus they suspected it to be the reason for the observed damage, as the other chemicals of the Thiel's embalming solution could not be involved in this very singular destruction of the muscles. This finding led to the conclusion that the human borate exposures, even in the highest exposed cohorts, are too low to reach the blood (and target tissue) concentrations that would be required to exert adverse effects on reproductive functions [6,36].

Glyoxal
Glyoxal is a chemical component of the embalmment fluid produce to kill organisms that produces slime, because it contains chromophores, which tend to stain tissues yellow. It is a very minimal component of the embalmment fluid; therefore, its composition is very minimal in all the system. Despite its small percentage, it attacks the amino acid of the protein, lipids and nucleotides with its very reactive carbonyl groups. This creates a sequence of non-enzymatic reactions called glycation, which yields a stable advanced glycation, altering the protein function. This process makes the enzymes inactive and disturbs the cellular metabolism, this in turn impairs proteolysis and the inhibition of cell production and synthesis of protein in plants and animal including man.

Phosphonium Chloride
This is a chemical combination and a reaction from the synthesis of phosphine, hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde, which is usually absorbed through the human skin. It is usually used as flame retardant in cotton fabrics. Some scholars also call this chemical tetrakis or hydroxymethyl. It can also be absorbed orally, once absorbed, it affects human liver because it also contains highly lethal carcinogenic compounds

1-methyl-3 Octoyloxymethylimidazolium Tetraflouroborate
This is an ionic liquid used as substitute for formaldehyde, there are a class of organic salt which at room temperature are liquid in their purest form. They are principally composed of organic cation and heterocyclic aromatic and non-aromatic compounds. They hardly bond with amino acids of protein compounds, but can form ionic pairs with deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) and Ribonucleic acids (RNA), they restrict access of water into tissues. These ionic liquid kills bacteria and fungi inhibiting biological decay or decomposition of tissues. Unger, et al. [41], found that ionic liquids are considered environmentally sustainable because of its versatility and their green credential, but not all ionic liquids are environmentally benign or friendly.

Conclusion
The results obtained from the laboratory analyses of selected groundwater and soil samples around the mortuary sites studied indicated that formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, humerants, metals, coli forms, microorganisms and other contaminants from the mortuary sites have impaired the soil and water quality. The concentrations of Fe, Cd, Zn, SO 4 and NO 3 and bacteriological contamination coupled with other soil and water quality parameters in some of the sampling locations highly exceeded the WHO and NSDWQ acceptable limits. The use of formaldehyde and other embalmment solutions are deleterious to human health. However, sodium borate, glyoxal, sodium nitrate, phosphonium chloride and 1-methyl-3 octoyloxymethylimidazolium tetraflouroborate has less environmental effects including human health. The most common health problems in people exposed to formaldehyde include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. However, formaldehyde have been found to cause serious environmental and occupational asthma, among the workers and the people around where people are exposed to serious formaldehyde usage. Serious exposure to formaldehyde and other embalmment's solution has been found to result in irritation and damage to the lining of the mucosal lining of the nose and throat. Above all, the exposure of the environment to local embalmment, coupled with these chemicals has affected the soils and water quality of the environment, while increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere of the immediate environment, reducing soil and water quality and affecting human health.

Recommendations for Policy Directions
Based on the finding from the research, it was recommended among others that: