Danger of pacemaker explosion

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 7

Danger of pacemaker explosion

PA Auckland The Auckland Hospital Board, concerned about the danger that a body night be cremated with a heart pacemaker in it, wants amend* ments made to the cremation regulations. The board’s hospital services committee decided the amendments were necessary after a report from the medical superintendent-in-chief (Dr R. F. Moody) who gave a warning of the dangers of explosion. The pacemakers contain radio-active material. He said that accidents had occurred in Britain. “Sooner or later an accident is bound to happen in Auckland unless positive steps are taken,” Dr Moody said. Under the extreme heat of a crematorium the pacemakers have been known to explode, releasing radio-activity and damaging the crematorium. About 500 New Zealanders have pacemakers implanted in their chests to help keep them alive. The chief executive of the North Canterbury Hospital Board (Mr R. I. Parker) said that the board was aware of the problems which pacemakers might cause. It supported moves to have the regulations amended so that pacemakers could be removed before crej mations took place.