Embalming Chemicals
SEQUESTERING AGENT
A chemical agent that can "fence off" or "tie up" metal ions so they cannot react with other chemicals.
CAUTERIZING AGENT (CAUSTIC)
A chemical capable of drying tissues by searing
Fluorescein
A common dye which is used to test for blood circulation
Accessory Chemicals
A group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity embalming fluids; most are applied to the body; includes but is not limited to hardening compounds, preservative powders, sealing agents, mold preventative agents, and pack application agents.
FORMALIN
A mixture of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water with 40% by volume, 37% by weight and contains 7% methyl alcohol to prevent polymerization.(stabilize the HCHO)
Glycerol, Glycerin
A modifying agent, a thick liquid often added to embalming fluids to increase the solubility of various compounds and to delay the firming action of formaldehyde. Also a humectant
MORTUARY PUTTY
A paste to fix or fill.
Gluteraldehyde
A preservative found in embalming fluid. Unlike formaldehyde, it contains 2 aldehyde groups on every molecule. a Di-aldehyde.
Eosin
A red dye derived from the action of bromine on flourescein. It is commonly used in arterial fluids
Ethanol, Ethyl Alcohol
A solvent and a disinfectant in embalming fluid. It is noted for its ability to dehydrate tissue
JAUNDICE FLUID
A special vascular fluid with special bleaching and coloring qualities of use on bodies with jaundice; usually low formaldehyde content.
Catalyst
A substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction but undergoes no net change itself during the reaction
TISSUE BUILDER
A substance used to elevate sunken (emaciated) tissues to normal level by hypodermic injection
NON COSMETIC FLUID (PASSIVE DYES)
A type of arterial fluid which contains inactive dyes that will not impart a color change upon the body tissues of the deceased.
Boric Acid
A very mild antiseptic added to embalming fluid. It helps regulate the acid-base balance.
Preinjection Fluids (Primary Injection Fluid)
"Fluids whose purpose is to clear the vascular system of blood and enable the arterial solution to distribute with greater facility.; Fluid injected primarily to prepare the vascular system and body tissues for the injection of the preservative vascular (arterial) solution. This solution is injected before the preservative vascular solution is injected.
Anticoagulants, Anticoagulant Fluid
Used to keep the blood in the liquid state; chemicals that retard the tendency of the blood to become more viscous by natural postmortem processes and/or prevent any other adverse reactions from occurring between the blood and the other embalming chemicals.; Ingredient of embalming fluids that retards the natural postmortem tendency of blood to become more viscous or prevents adverse reactions between blood and other embalming chemicals (Can be pre-injection and or co-injection).
Paraformaldehyde
A white crystalline powder chemically derived from formaldehyde (a polymer) which is used as an antiseptic and preservative; usually an ingredient of "Hardening Compound" Is a polymer of formaldehyde and exists as a solid. It is almost pure formaldehyde. It is insoluble, so it cannot be used in embalming fluids. It is most commonly used in the powdered preservative compositions such as hardening compounds and embalming powder.
Supplementary Germicides
Additional germicides added to embalming fluids
Methanol, Methyl Alcohol, Wood Alcohol
All embalming fluids will contain some of this since it is so closely associated with manufacture of formalin. Some fluids contain extra because it stabilizes formalin and because it is both a solvent and a germicide
PRESERVATIVE DEMAND (FORMALDEHYDE DEMAND)
Amount of preservative (formaldehyde) required to effectively preserve remains depends on the condition of the tissues as determined in the embalming analysis.
SURFACE PACK
An absorbent material, compress, saturated with an embalming chemical and placed in direct contact with the tissue.
FIXATIVE
An agent employed in the preparation of tissues for the purpose of maintaining the existing form of the structure. Many agents are used, the most important one being formalin.
WATER CONDITIONER
An agent used to remove chemical constituents from municipal water supplies that could interfere with drainage and preservation
Sodium Tetra Borate, Borax
An alkaline compound often found in arterial fluids to minimize graying action of formaldehyde yet will not deactivate it. it also inhibits blood clotting
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
An example of a wetting agent/surfactant added to embalming fluids to increase penetrability
Magnesium Sulfate, Epsom Salts
An inorganic salt added to embalming fluid to help preserve the acid base balance, to keep blood from clotting and in some instances for hypertonic effect
STAIN REMOVERS
Any substances or agents which will cause an external discoloration to be removed or lessened.
Plaster of Paris
Calcium sulfate; a white powdery substance which forms a quick- setting paste when mixed with water. Is a calcium sulfate often found in hardening compound as a filler that promotes hardening.
MORDANT
Chemical added to a dye to make it stain more intensely.
COAGULATING AGENTS
Chemical and physical agents that bring about coagulation
HARDENING COMPOUND
Chemical in powder form that has the ability to absorb and to disinfect. Often used in cavity treatment of autopsied cases. A mixture of dry chemicals having drying, deodorizing, preserving and disinfecting qualities and used in some restorative and embalming treatments that often contain Paraformaldehyde.
PRESERVATIVE POWDER (EMBALMING POWDER)
Chemical in powder form; typically used for surface embalming of the remains.
Modifying Agents
Chemicals added to the embalming solution to deal with varying demands predicated upon the embalming fluid to be used,.type of embalming, the environment and the embalming fluid to be used. Chemicals for which there may be greatly varying demands predicated upon the type of embalming, the environment, and the arterial fluid to be used. A chemical added to the embalming fluid either to reduce its undesirable effects or enhance its desirable effects.
Deodorants (Masking Agents / Perfuming Agents)
Chemicals found in embalming arterial formulations having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or of altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one. Historically called reodorants.
Humectants (Restorative Fluid)
Chemicals that increase the capability of embalmed tissues to retain moisture; Supplemental fluid, used with the regular arterial solution whose purpose is to retain body moisture and retard dehydration.
Surfactants, surface tension reducers, wetting agents, penetrating agents
Chemicals that will reduce the molecular cohesion of a liquid and thereby enable it to flow thru smaller aperatures
PRESERVATIVE (FIXERS)
Chemicals which inactivate saprophytic bacteria, render unsuitable for nutrition the media upon decomposition which such bacteria thrive, and which will arrest by altering enzymes and lysins of the body as well as converting the decomposable tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition
FORMALDEHYDE (HCHO / CH20)
Colorless, strong-smelling gas that when used in solution is a powerful preservative and disinfectant; a potential occupational carcinogen. A preservative found in embalming fluid. It is also a disinfectant. It reacts with proteins, causing them to become firm and more resistant to bacteria. Inhibits autolytic enzymes and is a gas at room temperature
Preservatives
Components of embalming solutions used to inactivate the active chemical groups of proteins and amino acids; to inhibit decomposition; to kill microorganisms; destroy odors and to eliminate their further formation; and to inactivate enzymes
Cavity Fluids
Concentrated embalming chemicals that are injected into the cavities of the body following aspiration in cavity embalming; these fluids can also be used for surface and hypodermic embalming of the problem areas
COUNTER STAINING COMPOUND
Dye that helps to cover internal discolorations such as jaundice.
Active Dyes, Cosmetic Dyes, Staining Dyes
Dyes which aid in restoring a life-like surface pigmentation to a body and also stain the body tissue cells
Cosmetic Fluid
Embalming fluid that contains dyes and coloring agents intended to Restore a more natural skin tone through the embalming process.
HIGH INDEX ARTERIAL FLUID
Embalming fluids with a high formaldehyde content used on extremely difficult cases in which the embalmer may encounter or on cases in which the embalmer desires a great degree of rigidity generally 30 - 36 + index
EMBALMING PACK
Embalming where an absorbent material is saturated with an embalming chemical and placed in direct contact with the tissue.
Supplemental Fluid
Fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection. Supplemental fluids generally fall into one of three categories: pre-injection, co-injection, and humectants or restorative fluids.
Coinjection Fluids
Fluid injected with the arterial fluid; A fluid used primarily to supplement and enhance the action of vascular (arterial) solutions.
WOOD VINEGAR
Impure acetic acid from the distillation of wood.
ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRACETIC ACID (EDTA)
Is found in products as either the tetrasodium or disodium salt. They react chemically to "bind" calcium, which inhibits the blood clotting mechanism. It is a skin irritant, causing dryness and cracking.
PACK APPLICATION (SURFACE APPLICATION)
Liquids or gels, usually available in spray or pack form, which are generally used in cases of skin slip, ulcerations and other surface involvements.
VEHICLES
Liquids that serve as a solvent for the numerous ingredients that are incorporated into embalming fluids.
SEALING AGENTS
Material used to provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood.
Dye (Coloring Agent)
Natural or synthetic matter that is used to impart color to another material; Substances which will, upon being dissolved, impart a definite color to the embalming solution Dyes are classified as to their capacity to permanently impart color to the tissue of the body into which they are injected.
Sodium Citrate
Often used as a water conditioner and for its anti-coagulant action in arterial fluids
HIGH PRESERVATION DEMAND FLUIDS
Special vascular (arterial) fluid with a high HCHO content
REDUCING AGENT
Substance that easily loses electrons and there-by causes other substances to be reduced; formaldehyde is a strong reducing agent.
CHELATE
Substances that bind metallic ions such as EDTA -(Ethylenediarnine-tetraceticacid) used as an anticoagulant in embalming solutions.
Buffers
Substances that in solution are capable of neutralizing, within limits, both acids and bases and thereby maintaining the original or constant pH of the solution
Restorative Fluids
Supplemental fluids may be separate fluids or ones enhancing arterial fluids by the addition of special chemicals such as humectants
Arterial Fluid (Vascular Fluid)
The concentrated, preservative embalming chemical that will be diluted with water to form the arterial solution for injection into the arterial system during vascular embalming. The purpose is for inactivating saprophytic bacteria and rendering the body tissues less susceptible to decomposition.
Embalming Fluids
The fluids specifically designed for preservation and disinfection purposes
ARTERIAL SOLUTION
The mixture of arterial (vascular) fluid and water which is used for the arterial injection and may include supplemental fluids.
Fluid Distribution
The movement of embalming solutions from the point of Injection throughout the arterial system and into the capillaries.
INDEX
The strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure Formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100ml of water (solution) Index usually refers to a percentage; an embalming fluid with an index of 25 usually contains 25% formaldehyde gas.
Formaldehyde Demand
The total amount of formaldehyde which protein will combine to be completely preserved.; that amount of formaldehyde necessary to overcome any nitrogen residue and cause the body proteins to become coagulated.
Autopsy Chemicals
Those chemicals specifically designed for use in the preparation of bodies that have been autopsied
POWDERS
Those sealing compounds which are used within vascular incisions, wounds, ulcerations, or other moist areas of the body.
