PROPER DISPOSAL OF NEEDLES AND SYRINGES

Many city residents must use hypodermic needles, syringes, and lancets to take care of their individual medical needs. However, some of these residents are not taking care to safeguard others from the risk of needlestick injuries, wounds caused by needles accidentally puncturing the skin of unsuspecting persons when the needles are disposed of improperly. Within the past two years, four city sanitation workers have suffered needlestick injuries, all of which were caused by mishandled needles placed in residential trash.

Improperly disposing of needles and other homecare medical implements is irresponsible and thoughtless. It puts all members of the community at risk—from health professionals, to city workers, even to members of the general public. Needlestick injuries can transmit infectious diseases, especially blood-borne viruses, which are potentially fatal. These include:

Hepatitus B
Hepatitus C
Diphtheria
Herpes
HIV
AIDS
Tuberculosis
Syphilis

What is worse is the mental anguish that the victim suffers during the time when he or she does not know if he or she has been infected by the injury. This anguish can cause great pain for the victim and his or her loved ones.

We ask, therefore, that our residents take proper care to dispose of their used medical implements. If you are not sure how to do so, please contact your medical service provider, a pharmacist, or the Health Department of Frederick County at (301)-600-1029.

When disposing of these items, make sure that they are placed out for collection in a safe, sanitary manner, so that city workers and others are not put at an unnecessary risk. This means no loose syringes with exposed points should ever be put into the solid waste collection stream. You should instead put your needles, syringes, and lancets in puncture-resistant containers (which can be obtained at the same places patients go to get their other medical supplies), or in any sturdy plastic container, such as a bleach or detergent bottle—but this bottle must be tightly sealed before it is put in the trash.

Failure to properly handle these medical instruments is a violation of the City Code of Laws and is punishable by a fine of up to $200. Furthermore, it is illegal to set out any infectious waste for trash collection. If you know you have an infectious disease, you may not set out needles with your trash under any circumstances. Instead, you must make other arrangements to dispose of your medical implements. Violation of this law is punishable by a fine of up to $1000, as well as possible further penalties and charges.