Officials Offer Needle Disposal
Hoping to curb improper disposal of used and potentially contaminated needles, Ventura County officials are urging residents to take advantage of a free disposal program.
Residents who use needles regularly as part of treatment for diabetes, cancer, AIDS, osteoporosis, fertility and allergies or for treatment of their pets’ diseases can pick up free collection containers, fill them with needles and bring them back to a collection facility for safe disposal. Nineteen medical facilities throughout the county serve as collection and disposal locations.
Improper disposal of used needles can injure children, home health care providers and pets, but pose a particular threat to sanitation workers.
Workers at liquid and solid waste collection facilities, and especially recycling facilities where materials are pulled out by hand, have a high risk of injury. Three sanitation workers at one local trash hauling company received needle sticks in the past month, said Terri Thomas, program coordinator for the county’s Solid Waste Management Department.
As needles can be tainted with hepatitis, HIV or other infections, anyone who is stuck must remain under medical surveillance and undergo periodic testing.
In the last six months, more than 700 containers have been picked up and 544 brought in for safe disposal.
For information on disposal location, call 654-2889.
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