Ethan Clarke
Millions of people have prosthetics, breast implants, and pacemakers, but what happens to these implants after their owners die? Inert implants like breast implants and artificial hips are often left in the body after death and buried with the deceased. In the case of cremation, silicone burns up, but metal implants are usually separated from the ashes and disposed of separately. These metals are sometimes collected and melted down to be sold to the automobile and aeronautical industries. Pacemakers, on the other hand, are often removed before cremation as their batteries can explode when heated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inert implants left in the body after death | Breast implants, artificial hips, titanium plates |
| Implants removed before cremation | Pacemakers, ICDs, spinal cord stimulators, internal pumps |
| Implants removed before burial | N/A |
| Implants recycled | Metals from implants are recycled and sold to the automobile and aeronautical industries |
| Implants donated | Working pacemakers are donated to developing countries |
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What You'll Learn
- Inert implants like breast implants are usually buried with the body
- Metals from implants are recycled and used in cars, planes, and even other people
- Pacemakers and ICDs are often removed before cremation as their batteries can explode
- Prosthetics are reused by charities in developing countries
- Implants are non-biodegradable and will be discovered by future archaeologists
Inert implants like breast implants are usually buried with the body
Inert implants, such as breast implants and artificial hips, are usually buried with the body. These implants are made from materials that are inert and non-biodegradable, meaning they will not decompose along with the biological parts of the body. Instead, they will remain intact even as the body decomposes, whether or not embalming fluids are used to preserve the body.
The reason inert implants are typically left in the body is that there is no compelling reason to remove them, and they pose little threat to the environment. However, in the case of cremation, the approach is different. While silicone implants will burn up, metal implants, such as titanium or cobalt alloy hips, are usually separated from the ashes and disposed of separately.
The metal collected from crematoriums is often recycled. For example, the Dutch company Orthometals collects 250 tonnes of metal annually from crematoriums across Europe. This metal is then melted down and sold to the automobile and aeronautical industries. Similarly, the US company Implant Recycling sells the melted and recast metals back to the medical industry.
While inert implants are generally left in the body, there are exceptions for certain types of implants. Pacemakers, internal cardiac defibrillators (ICDs), and other electronic prosthetics are usually removed before cremation as their batteries can explode when heated. Additionally, some people choose to donate their medical implants, providing others with a second chance at life. Charities like Pace4Life in the UK and Project My Heart Your Heart in the US collect and send working pacemakers to those in need in India.
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Metals from implants are recycled and used in cars, planes, and even other people
Millions of people are fitted with implants, such as prosthetics, breast implants, pacemakers, and dental implants. But what happens to these implants after their owners die?
In the case of inert implants, like silicone breast implants or artificial hips, they are often left in and buried with the body. In the case of cremation, silicone burns up, but metal hips and other similar implants are usually separated from the ashes and disposed of. Other metals may be collected, such as gold fillings. Dutch company Orthometals, for example, collects 250 tons of metal every year from crematoriums across Europe. The metal is then sorted and melted down into ingots before being sold to the automobile and aeronautical industries. Orthometals assures that none of the metals will be recognizably reused for other medical implants. For example, titanium salvaged from knee or hip implants can be made into aircraft parts, and gold can be repurposed into electronics. Implant Recycling, a US company, sells the melted and recast metals back into the medical industry.
The money received from recycling these metals can be used for charitable causes. For instance, the Mount Pleasant Group received $44,000 for their first year of participation and used the money to support hospice and palliative care in Ontario. Furthermore, recycling implants can be a sustainable solution for musculoskeletal research. Since 2016, all metal collected at cremation in Sweden has been recycled, resulting in 60 tons of valuable metals at a net value of US$15 million. Leading implant manufacturers are encouraged to start collaborating with orthopedic societies to assume their environmental responsibility and facilitate the recycling of metal implants.
In addition to recycling, some organizations refurbish and reuse implants. For example, the US-based charity Project My Heart Your Heart collects and sends working pacemakers to India, and the charity Standing With Hope recycles old prosthetic limbs for the developing world, including in Ghana.
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Pacemakers and ICDs are often removed before cremation as their batteries can explode
Millions of people are fitted with implants such as pacemakers, breast implants, and prosthetics. As a result, funeral homes and crematoria have had to adapt to ensure they are safely removed and disposed of.
Pacemakers, ICDs, and other implants with electronic components are usually removed before cremation, as their batteries can explode when heated. A 2002 study found that about half of all crematoria in the UK experience pacemaker explosions, which may cause structural damage and injury. Crematoria staff rely on the accurate completion of cremation forms, and doctors who sign these forms have a legal obligation to disclose whether the deceased had any such implants. However, only 5% of staff knew about ICDs and their explosive potential.
The removal of pacemakers is a simple procedure. A trained mortician or undertaker will make a small incision over the pacemaker, cut the sutures, and remove it. A few small stitches are then used to close the incision. The family of the deceased can choose to donate the pacemaker, which can be repurposed to help someone else.
In the case of inert implants, like silicone breast implants or artificial hips, they are often left in and buried with the body. In the case of cremation, silicone burns up, but metal hips are usually separated from the ashes and disposed of. Metal components may be collected and recycled by companies such as Orthometals, which sells the melted and recast metals to various industries.
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Prosthetics are reused by charities in developing countries
Prosthetics are often reused by charities and sent to developing countries, where they are in high demand and can be life-changing for the recipients. This practice is beneficial for several reasons, including reducing waste, providing access to prosthetics for those who cannot afford them, and creating local employment opportunities.
One example of a charity that recycles and redistributes prosthetics is Standing With Hope, a US-based organization that collects unwanted prosthetic limbs and ships them to countries like Ghana. In Ghana, locally trained clinicians rebuild the prosthetics to fit patients in need. This process gives the prosthetics a second life and has a positive impact on the lives of those receiving them.
Another organization, Limbcare, partners with Legs4Africa to collect second-hand legs from the NHS, private clinics, and funeral firms in the UK. These limbs are then sent to various African countries, including Tanzania and Gambia, where they are in high demand due to the lack of local production and the high cost of imported prosthetics.
While there are rules against reusing certain types of prosthetics, such as pacemakers, in developed countries, these devices are still functional and can be of great use in developing nations. Charities like Pace4Life in the UK and Project My Heart Your Heart in the US collect and send working pacemakers to places like India, where they can offer a second chance at life to those who cannot afford new devices.
The reuse of prosthetics in developing countries not only helps individuals in need but also contributes to the larger goal of creating a sustainable and self-sufficient prosthetic industry in these regions. By fostering local production and reducing dependency on foreign imports and charities, communities can empower themselves to meet the growing demand for prosthetics and improve overall access to essential healthcare services.
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Implants are non-biodegradable and will be discovered by future archaeologists
Implants are chosen for their inert and non-biodegradable nature, which means they will not decompose with the rest of the body. This includes breast implants, which will remain intact even as the body decomposes. Therefore, future archaeologists will likely uncover peculiar objects in graves, such as silicone bags, plastic teeth, and sculpted metal bones. These non-biodegradable implants will provide a unique insight into the medical practices and cultural norms of our time for future generations.
In the case of cremation, silicone implants burn up, but metal implants, such as titanium or cobalt alloy hips, are usually separated from the ashes and disposed of separately. Even small amounts of precious metals, such as gold fillings, can be detected and removed from the ashes. This has led to the emergence of companies like Orthometals, which collects metal from crematoriums across Europe, melts it down, and sells it to the automobile and aeronautical industries. Similarly, Implant Recycling in the US sells melted and recast metals back to the medical industry.
While some implants are recycled, others are reused. Several charities, such as Pace4Life in the UK and Project My Heart Your Heart in the US, collect and send working pacemakers to developing countries like India. Standing With Hope, a US-based charity, recycles old prosthetic limbs for use in countries like Ghana. These initiatives not only provide much-needed medical devices to those who cannot afford them but also offer a second chance at life to both the recipients and the donors.
The reuse and recycling of implants highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the fate of these devices after death. While some may view them as valuable resources that can be repurposed, others may consider the presence of implants in graves as a potential disruption to the natural decomposition process. As the number of people with implants continues to grow, the question of how to handle them after death becomes increasingly relevant.
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Frequently asked questions
In the case of cremation, silicone burns up, but metal implants are usually separated from the ashes and disposed of separately.
Inert devices such as plastic implants tend not to be removed after death and are buried with the body.
Metals collected from implants after cremation are often sold to the automobile and aeronautical industries. For example, the Dutch company Orthometals collects 250 tons of metal annually from crematoriums in Europe, which is then melted down and used to make cars and planes.
