Disposal of Sharps

Tess Anderson Mary Caitlin Dominguez

Improper Disposal of Sharps • Needle Stick Injuries • Potential Infection (HIV/AIDS, hepatitis,

tetanus, syphilis, etc) • Containers with sharps may open in

garbage trucks or land fills • Sharps might accidentally be sent to

recycling facilities• Sharps can poke through garbage bags and

stick the person handling the trash.

“The number of sharps disposed of annually exceeds 300 million in California, and 3 billion nationwide” (Hughan, 2008).

(United States, 2006)

Pounds of Sharps Collected by California Household Hazardous Waste Programs

(Resources, 2010).

What are sharps used for? Sharps are used to treat a varietyof medical conditions:

- Allergies- Cancer- Hepatitis- Infertility- Multiple sclerosis- Arthritis- Diabetes- HIV/AIDS- Migraines- Illegal Drug injection

healthlifeandstuff.com

Everyone is at Risk!!!

cityofracine.org

Children Janitors

HousekeepersTrash workers

NeighborsFamily members

Yourself

“People at the greatest risk of being stuck by used sharps include sanitation and sewage treatment workers, janitors and housekeepers, and children” (United States, 2006).

Improper Disposal Leads To…

• Health hazard to family members, sanitation workers, community, housekeeping staff, school personnel

• Hepatitis B and AIDS can result from needle sticks

• Loose syringes thrown into trash can be misused

• Injure small children, pets, wildlife(Public Health, 2011)

biomedicalwaste.org

Survey Results of Personal Use of Sharps 2007California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

(Resources, 2010)

18 Gal Medical Professional Sharps Disposal $199.00

Sharps Secure Collection System $79.95

Sharps Transport Tube (box of 6) $39.00

Home Needle Destruction Device

$95.00

Needle Cutter$12.00

ehs.cornell.edu

United States, 2006

docstoc.com

Resources!

Resources!

Needle Exchange Kit

Further Sugguestions?• Take responsibility to educate yourself!• Promote disposal resources so that the community knows they are

available (people should be informed by their doctor and/or needle provider).

• Educate garbage disposal workers and other programs to provide information on proper disposal.

• Educate those at risk on how to handle sharp spills and prevent needle sticks.

• Continue needle exchange programs to promote the return of dirty needles until evidence demonstrates these programs are of further harm.

• Offer discounts, refunds or other incentives for proper disposal.• Continue to educate the public on the risks involved and dangers of

needles, promoting safe and proper disposal of sharps.