Embalming Chemicals

Modifying Agents

Buffers, Humectant, inorganic salts, anticoagulant, and surfactants

Buffers

Chemicals affecting the stabilization of pH balance in embalming solutions and tissues

Humectant

Chemicals increasing tissue moisture retention

Surfactant

Chemicals reducing liquid cohesion for flow through small openings

Dye (Color Agents)

Substances imparting color to embalming solution; classified by tissue color capacity

Perfuming Agents

Chemicals in arterial formulation displacing or altering odors

Vehicle

Liquids serving as solvents for embalming fluid ingredients

Arterial (Vascular) Fluid

Concentrated preservative diluted with water for arterial injection

Arterial Solution

Mixture of arterial fluid and water for arterial injection

Cavity Fluid

Embalming chemicals for cavity, hypodermic, and surface embalming

Pre-Injection Fluid

Fluid injected primarily to prepare the vascular system and body tissue for the preservative vascular solution

Coinjection Fluid

Fluid used to supplement and enhance the action of arterial solutions

Supplemental Fluid

Fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection, falls into preinjection, coinjection, or humectants/restorative categories

Index

Strength of embalming fluids indicated by the grams of formaldehyde dissolved in 100ml of water, usually represented as a percentage

Formaldehyde / HCHO

Colorless, strong-smelling gas used as a preservative and disinfectant, potential occupational carcinogen

Cosmetic Fluid

Embalming fluid with dyes to restore natural skin tone during embalming

Non-Cosmetic Fluid

Arterial fluid with inactive dyes that do not change body tissue color

Primary Dilution

Dilution achieved when mixing embalming solution in the embalming machine

Secondary Dilution

Weakening of embalming solution by body fluids, both vascular and interstitial

Water Conditioner

Agent used to remove chemicals from water supplies that could affect drainage and preservation

Water Hardness

Quality of water with certain substances, especially soluble salts of calcium and magnesium

Paraformaldehyde

Found in 'hardening compounds' or other powdered preparations for preserving body walls and visera

Glutaraldehyde

5-carbon, straight-chain dialdehyde; reacts with proteins over wide pH range

Germicides

Kill disease-causing microbes or inhibit their reproduction

Arterial fluids, coinjection fluids, cavity fluids, surface disinfectants

Incorporated with germicides

Anticoagulant

Maintains blood in liquid state; also used as water softener or conditioner

Inorganic salts

Control osmotic qualities; can act as buffers, humectants, preservatives, germicides, and water

Masking Agents/Deodorants

Selected to cover harsh chemicals and help with solution odor

Water

Main vehicle

Glycerine, Sorbitol, Glycols, Alcohol

Solvent examples

Formalin

HCHO gas dissolved in water

Methyl Alcohol

Added to the chemical solution to stabilize the HCHO

False

Glutaraldehyde is not a gas

Phenol

Carbolic Acid

7.2 - 7.4

pH of arterial fluids

37%

HCHO in water by mass

40%

HCHO in water by volume