A senior coroner has issued a stark warning that mortuary staff could be at risk of death from exposure to hazardous embalming chemicals. The alert follows the discovery of "dangerously high" levels of formalin on bodies repatriated to a UK mortuary after the Air India crash.
Coroner's Warning Over Chemical Hazard
Senior Coroner Fiona Wilcox raised the alarm after bodies from the Air India disaster, brought to the Westminster Public Mortuary, were found to be saturated with high concentrations of the chemical. The situation was so severe that staff were forced to use breathing apparatus to handle the remains.
Ms Wilcox has now written to the Health Secretary and other authorities urging immediate action to mitigate the risks posed by formalin. This substance contains formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
Lack of Monitoring and 'Under Appreciation' of Risk
The coroner's report highlighted a critical "under appreciation" of the dangers of formalin within the mortuary sector. It also pointed to a concerning absence of routine environmental monitoring in such facilities.
This lack of oversight means staff could be routinely exposed to severe, long-term health risks without their knowledge. The Westminster mortuary incident was further compounded by the detection of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and cyanide on the premises.
Urgent Calls for Action and Review
The findings have prompted urgent calls for a review of safety protocols across all UK mortuaries. The primary concern is protecting workers who handle bodies preserved with powerful chemicals, often in the aftermath of traumatic events like air disasters.
The warning, dated Wednesday 3 December 2025, serves as a critical reminder of the hidden occupational hazards faced by mortuary and pathology staff. Authorities are now under pressure to implement stricter safety measures and monitoring to prevent potential fatalities among these essential workers.
