FDA develops Web resource outlining proper sharps disposal
SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday launched a website for patients and caregivers on the safe disposal of needles and other “sharps” that are used at home, at work and while traveling.
“Safe disposal of used needles and other sharps is a public health priority,” said Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “This website provides information about how to keep used sharps from ending up in places where they could harm people.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 3 billion needles and other sharps are used in homes in the United States each year.
After being used, many sharps end up in home and public trash cans or flushed down toilets. This kind of improper disposal puts people, such as sanitation workers, sewage treatment workers, janitors, housekeepers, family members and children at risk for needle stick injuries or infection with viruses, such as hepatitis B and C and HIV, the agency noted.
Sharps is defined by the FDA as medical devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut the skin. Such medical devices include hypodermic needles and syringes used to administer medication; lancets or fingerstick devices to collect blood for testing; needle and tubing systems for infusing intravenous and subcutaneous medicines; and connection needles used for home hemodialysis.
With more diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, allergies, arthritis and HIV, being managed outside of hospitals and doctors’ offices, the number of sharps used in homes and work offices is increasing. In addition, pets are being treated in homes and livestock are being treated on farms, which also are contributing to the increased number of sharps outside of veterinary hospitals.
Sharps disposal guidelines and programs vary by jurisdiction. For example, in 2008, California passed legislation banning throwing needles in household trash. Florida, New Jersey and New York have established community drop off programs at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. People using sharps at home or work or while traveling should check with their local trash removal services or health department to find out about disposal methods available in their area, the agency suggested.
For the safe disposal of needles and other sharps used outside of the health care setting, the FDA recommends the following:
Immediately place used sharps in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle-sticks, cuts or punctures from loose sharps;
If an FDA-cleared container is not available, some associations and community guidelines recommend using a heavy-duty plastic household container as an alternative. The container should be leak-resistant, remain upright during use and have a tight fitting, puncture-resistant lid, such as a plastic laundry detergent container;
Call your local trash or public health department in your phone book to find out about sharps disposal programs in your area;
Do not throw loose sharps into the trash or flush sharps down the toilet;
Do not try to remove, bend, break or recap sharps used by another person; and
Do not attempt to remove a needle without a needle clipper device.
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