By Ted Fischer
November 9, 2009

Jennifer Schumann of the Coalition For Safe Needle Disposal shared with the MWMA the dangers of needle disposal on both the waste stream and for workers who are stuck with needles that are found discarded.

With more than nine million Americans self injecting prescription drugs and many more using illicit drugs via needle injection, the dangers to solid waste workers is increasing at a rapid rate. Schumann spoke about understanding current and future sharps disposal problems facing the US and recognizing that removing needles from household trash is a shared responsibility issue among all of its stakeholders. “Each city or community needs to identify the most effective way to approach this issue. With one in 12 homes having a self injector and three billion needle injections occurring yearly outside of medical facilities, this needs to be addressed now while healthcare legislation is on the forefront of everyone’s agenda,” said Schumann.

MWMA has focused on the safety of solid waste professionals for years. Needles in public waste are usually of an unknown origin and must be considered as potentially dangerous infectious material. Needles in public waste create exposure to accidental needle stick injuries. Due to increasing visibility of public health safety issues, state and federal legislation is being considered for the protection of solid waste professionals, janitors and care providers. The cost alone, including physical and emotional trauma to the individual worker, loss of work and productivity, testing costs and treatment, as well as the transmission of pathogenic diseases, life altering illnesses and even in some cases lifelong consumption of medical care, makes it very important for cities to take action before they too are faced with many cases.