Systems and methods for body-proximate recoverable capture of mercury vapor during cremation

A system for capture of mercury vapor emitted during cremation of a human body having dental amalgam fillings containing mercury in one or more teeth in the body, the system comprising:

• a fabric material having at least a portion of an inner surface coated with a sorbent layer that includes a combination of chalcogenic nanoparticles and a particulate refractory material, the inner surface of the fabric being configured to be placed proximate an exterior of the body during cremation, and not within the body or within an exhaust of a combustion chamber in which cremation of the body occurs,
• whereby the sorbent layer capture and contain elemental mercury vapor emitted during cremation from dental amalgam fillings containing mercury.

A mercury absorption device for absorption of mercury vapor emitted during cremation in a combustion chamber of a human body having dental amalgam fillings containing mercury in one or more teeth in the body, comprising:

• one or more reclaimable mercury sorbent packets having a mercury sorbent material encapsulated by a cremation resistant material;
• and
• a containment structure configured to be secured external to the body to position the one or more reclaimable mercury sorbent packets within the combustion chamber proximate the body.

A method of removing mercury released during cremation of a human body in a combustion chamber, comprising:

• providing a mercury sorbent material within a cremation resistant material to form a reclaimable mercury sorbent packet;
• and
• prior to cremation, placing one or more of the reclaimable mercury sorbent packets within a containment structure configured be secured external to the human body within the combustion chamber.