Drug users seek to get better high from funeral homes

Ammonia fertilizer is not the only dangerous chemical that may be a target of drug-dealing thieves. Authorities in Wisconsin are still investigating the slayings of two workers at a funeral home, who may have been killed during a theft of formaldehyde. Hawarden, Iowa funeral director Rick Porter explains the strong chemicals used in the embalming process are in demand for treating pot, supposedly to make it stronger. Formaldehyde and its equivalent chemicals can cause cancer, and the mortician says OSHA rules govern its handling.They use gloves, gowns, eye shields, and airflow systems in the embalming room to protect themselves. But, like farmers’ ammonia, the dangerous chemical’s a target of thieves, and that adds another danger.They’ve been told to keep the chemical in a safe place and keep track of how much they use. Meth labs pose an explosion risk, in addition to the poisonous potential of stolen nitrogen fertilizer. And similarly, Porter says anyone who steals embalming fluid to try and process drugs is not only breaking the law, they don’t know what kind of health risk they’re taking. He doesn’t know if it’s an explosion risk, but ingesting it would be bad for you. Porter adds that embalming fluid costs from 80 to 140-dollars for a case of 24 sixteen-ounce bottles.