Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, has been in the public’s mind since the death of MLB Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig and, more recently, the ice bucket challenge. Much research into this devastating illness has been conducted and one recent study has possibly shed some light about those at great risk, male funeral directors. The study looked at death certificates and found that male funeral directors develop the disease at 4.5 times the rate of the general population. The study authors speculate that it is due to the consistent exposure to formaldehyde but they admit there are a number of possible explanations. However, the authors were befuddled by the fact that female funeral directors did not show the same rates, but it was speculated that was due to the fact the very few women work primarily as embalmers.
See Mandy Oaklander, Why Funeral Directors May Be at Higher Risk for ALS, Time, July 14, 2015.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
