London Morgue Workers Exposed to Deadly Gases from AI Crash Coffins, Claims UK Coroner
London morgue workers faced exposure to dangerously high levels of toxic substances after opening coffins of British victims from the AI171 plane crash, a UK coroner has warned. Senior Coroner Professor Fiona J Wilcox issued an urgent warning about the potential for deadly gas exposure following the repatriation of bodies from the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad on June 12.
The Air India aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, bound for London Gatwick, resulting in the deaths of all 241 people on board and a further 19 on the ground. Among the fatalities were 52 British nationals. The bodies of the British victims were repatriated to the UK, with many taken to Westminster Public Mortuary.
Upon opening the coffins, mortuary staff discovered that the bodies had been wrapped and saturated in high concentrations of formalin, a chemical used for preservation. Professor Wilcox noted a "significant chemical hazard" stemming from the formalin. Her report revealed "dangerously high" levels of formalin, carbon monoxide, and cyanide within the mortuary.
Formalin contains formaldehyde, a volatile substance that can cause severe respiratory irritation and is classified as carcinogenic. Expert advice cited in the coroner's report indicated that formalin has toxic effects, including metabolic acidosis, bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, and potential death. The report also noted that formalin, when exposed to heat and light, decomposes and releases carbon monoxide, which is highly toxic. Furthermore, when formalin mixes with ammonia from decomposition, it can release cyanide, another highly toxic gas.
The coroner's report indicated that levels of formalin were dangerously high, and carbon monoxide and cyanide were also detected at dangerous levels after the coffins were opened and the bodies unwrapped. Police chemical specialists and the Environment Agency were involved following the discovery of the chemical hazard. Mortuary staff used breathing apparatus after advice from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear experts.
Professor Wilcox expressed concern about the "under appreciation" of the dangers posed by formalin in mortuaries. She highlighted that mortuaries routinely receive bodies preserved in formalin, but environmental monitoring is not consistently available, potentially leaving staff at risk. She has urged the Health Secretary and other relevant authorities to take immediate action to prevent future fatalities. The coroner's report has been sent to the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. They have 56 days to respond.
While no mortuary staff members have been reported to have become ill, the coroner's findings raise serious concerns about the safety protocols and preparedness in place at mortuaries for handling bodies treated with high concentrations of chemicals. The incident has also cast a spotlight on the potential health risks faced by NHS and laboratory workers who may be exposed to unacceptably high levels of formaldehyde. The coroner is urging for better preparedness and equipment in mortuaries.
