When you get a shot at the doctor's office, the nurse safely puts the used needle in a specially marked red box for used sharp objects. But if you're a home injector of insulin for diabetes, your needle may end up in the household trash where it could injure someone. Worse yet, it could transfer a dangerous infection to someone else who is accidentally stuck.
Millions of Americans use syringes and needles at home and at work - legally - and will give themselves 1-2 billion injections each year. Add to that another billion injections of unlawful drugs, and the improper disposal of used needles and other "sharps" outside hospitals and doctors' offices can lead to serious risk of infection or injury to others.
Used Needle Risks
Most used needles end up in the garbage where they pose a grave health risk for anyone encountering them at home, in the workplace, and in public areas. Used needles can transmit viruses such as HIV as well as hepatitis B and C.
The Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal has called for safe needle disposal so protections used to safeguard medical personnel can be taken outside health care settings. Among the recommendations are that safe, affordable, and confidential collection and disposal options be easily available to everyone in a community (even illegal drug users), such as drop-off sites in pharmacies, police and fire departments, and public drop boxes.
Even mailback programs have been suggested. Home users would place needles and sharps in a special container that's sent by US mail to a collection point where they are burned.
Action Plan
If you give yourself an injection for diabetes, allergies, or migraine or use sharp lancets for glucose testing, find out how to dispose of these used items safely at home and at work. If you have a medical department at work or nearby drug store, you may be able to use their waste disposal box. If not, make your own container from a coffee can, but not a soft drink can or glass container that might break. Reinforce the plastic lid with heavy tape, and put your container in the trash, not in a recycling bin.
For more information, go to Safe Needle Disposal.
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