news release
ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

CONTACT: SUSAN TOLCHIN

MARY LANDRIGAN

(914) 813-5000 (After Hours)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2004

GETTING THE POINT ACROSS ABOUT SHARPS IN THE TRASH:

A MESSAGE FROM THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Being jabbed by a needle of unknown origin can be scary. Here in Westchester, there have been several recent cases of sanitation workers injured by needles in trash bags, highlighting the need to remind residents of the correct way to dispose of household sharps. Many people use sharps (needles, syringes, lancets) for their home medical care.

“No pun intended, but we really need to get the point across to the public that the threat of injury and infection from sharps is a significant problem for sanitation workers,” said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health for Westchester County. “The recent incidents of sanitation workers being stabbed by needles in trash bags have only added to their concern.”

While there are currently no State laws prohibiting the disposal of needles and other household sharps in the trash, and most municipalities allow it providing the sharps are safely packaged, it is preferable that household sharps be dropped off at the nearest hospital or nursing home. State law does require that these facilities accept used needles from the public.

Whether sharps are placed in the trash or taken to a drop-off point, proper packaging is essential. The Westchester County Health Department recommends keeping a heavy plastic bottle with a screw cap, such as a bleach or laundry detergent bottle, to place used sharps in. A plastic soda bottle is also acceptable. Aluminum and cardboard containers are not good choices because the needles can poke through. Do not use glass containers either as these can break. MORE

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When the container is full, make sure the cap is screwed on tight and, preferably, tape it in place. Label the container “Sharps.” Do NOT label it “Medical Waste” or “Biohazard.” These labels are used for specific categories of waste materials that must never be placed in the trash.

The Westchester County Health Department has published a Sharps Smarts brochure containing a list of sharps drop-off sites at County hospitals and nursing homes, together with their hours of operation and contact telephone numbers. The brochure, which is available in English and Spanish, also contains information on safe packaging of household sharps. The brochure can be viewed online at:

http://www.westchestergov.com/health/PDF/SharpsSmarts1(english).pdf

Residents can also receive a copy of the Sharps Smarts brochure by calling (914) 813-5000. Please note that some facilities may require registration before they will accept sharps from County residents. Some also will only accept sharps packaged in the hospital’s own containers which they make available for a small fee. While facilities may charge for the cost of the container, they may not charge for the service of accepting sharps.

If taking the sharps to a drop-off facility proves too difficult, residents may be able to dispose of properly packaged sharps in the household trash, as long as this is not prohibited by their local municipality. In this case, sharps must NOT be placed in recycling bin.

For additional information, call the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000 or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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