Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my strong concerns, as well as those of others in the community, regarding the recent granting of a special exception to build a crematorium to be attached to the existing Borgwardt's Funeral Home on Powder Mill Road in Beltsville, MD.  While we understand the importance of providing funeral services to our community, research supports that placing a crematorium in such close proximity to numerous schools and childcare facilities raises serious health, safety, and ethical questions that warrant public attention, and also negatively impact real estate values.

Within a five-mile radius of the approved site, there are multiple educational institutions and many daycare facilities that serve our community’s youngest residents. The presence of these sensitive facilities makes it imperative that we carefully consider the potential impact of this construction project on the health and well-being to the residents of the Beltsville Community.

Crematorium emissions, although regulated, can include potentially harmful pollutants such as dioxins and particulate matter. These substances pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.  Additionally, the smoke emitted when bodies are being cremated includes fumes and odor which can be offensive and pose great health risks. The close proximity of these facilities to schools and daycares significantly amplifies these concerns, as it increases the likelihood of exposure to toxic airborne emissions.

Moreover, the placement of a crematorium in a heavily residential area could adversely affect property values and diminish the overall quality of life for residents. It also raises questions about community planning and the transparency of the zoning approval process. Residents deserve to be assured that their health and safety are prioritized over commercial interests before construction begins on this project approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Department.

Although all required regulatory processes were followed in filing for this special zoning exception which was granted, the dissemination of information to the residents of Beltsville was to a relatively small audience.

In light of these concerns, I and other concerned residents, urge local authorities and planning officials to reconsider the zoning decision and conduct a thorough environmental impact assessment, and also make the greater Beltsville Community aware of all plans regarding the proposed construction and health concerns. It is vital that our community’s health, safety, and well-being are protected. Alternative locations, perhaps further away from residential and educational zones, should be explored to ensure that we maintain a safe and healthy environment for all residents, especially our children.

In addition, I strongly urge each Beltsville resident who was unaware of these plans to build this facility with potential health and safety concerns in the middle of where we live and raise our families to search the internet under the topics: "Dangers of Crematoriums", and “Real Estate Values and Crematoriums”.  Then, contact the office of our county councilman, Thomas Dernoga:  (email: CouncilDistrict1@co.pg.md.us) and (phone: (301) 952-3887), to express your concerns, your unhappiness that this information wasn’t more widely shared with the community by his office,  request he conduct community meetings where concerned residents can voice their concerns and objections, and place this proposed project on-hold until the Beltsville Community is satisfied with the findings and outcome.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.  I and others concerned hope that through public discourse and community advocacy, we can ensure responsible development that respects the health and safety of our residents.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Pavel