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For Immediate Release
2005-04-13
For further information contact:
Justin Chenier, Communications Officer, KFL&A Public Health, 613-549-1232, ext. 236 or Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, City of Kingston, 613-384-1770,
ext. 3116
LOCAL AUTHORITIES URGE SAFE DISPOSAL OF RISKY WASTE
The recent discovery of potentially hazardous waste on the shores of Wolfe Island has raised serious concerns about the improper disposal of used condoms and
needles. While the source of the waste remains unknown, the community is at risk when potentially hazardous waste is improperly disposed.
"There are established guidelines and, in fact laws, that specify how potentially risky waste must be handled," said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Medical Officer of Health
for the KFL&A area. "The lack of regard for the safety of others goes against all of the principles of a healthy community, and I am urging those who use
such items to ensure their proper disposal, so that no risk is posed others in our community."
Utilities Kingston, which has managed the cleanup on Wolfe Island along with KFL&A Public Health, is also advising that items such as condoms and tampon
dispensers should be placed in the garbage and not flushed down the toilet. "The treatment process is not designed to treat these types of materials, they cause
process difficulties," said Jim Keech, President and CEO of Utilities Kingston. "It is extremely important that needles, condoms and all plastic materials are
disposed of properly and not through either the sanitary or storm sewage systems."
Needles should be treated and disposed like other hazardous waste. KFL&A Public Health recommends disposing of needles as follows:
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NEVER put needles or syringes in the garbage or blue boxes.
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NEVER flush needles down toilets.
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Place all needles and syringes in a secured puncture proof plastic container with a screw-on lid (e.g.: 2 litre pop bottle or rigid detergent bottle) clearly
labeled 'needles' or 'syringes', or in a biohazard container available for purchase at most pharmacies and KFL&A Public Health.
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"Needle clip" devices, which remove the needle from the syringe and store it in an impervious container, are available at pharmacies. The remaining syringe
should also be placed in a puncture proof container and disposed of as hazardous medical waste.
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Take containers to:
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The Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 196 Lappan's Lane, open Thursdays adn the second Saturday of each month from April to November (incl.) from 9:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m.;
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KFL&A Public Health at 221 Portsmouth Avenue, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
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The Street Health Centre at 6 Montreal Street, open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.;
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Several pharmacies offer disposal services. KFL&A Public Health has a list of participating stores.
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Any resident who finds needles or syringes in any public place, should immediately call KFL&A Public Health's Environmental Health department to have them
picked up. Keep others away from the area untilthe hazard has been removed.
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If you have additional questions about syringes or what to do if you have received a needle stick injury, call KFL&A Public Health at 549-1232, ext. 282.
"Safe disposal of used needles and condoms is not only the right thing to do and is respectful of others. It will also prevent unnecessary exposure of others to
blood-borne infections and the interventions and worry that such exposures create," said Dr. Gemmill. "We hope that this incident will highlight for all the
importance of proper and safe disposal and handling, so that neither unsuspecting citizens or those who have to clean up such this kind of waste, will be put at
preventable and unnecessary risk."
Used needles are a hazardous problem, one that KFL&A Public Health and the City of Kingston have been trying to improve for years. Every month, public
health officials assess and assist people in the community who have had preventable and unnecessary injuries from needles. In 2003, the City of Kingston and KLF
&A Public Health advised residents of the importance of not placing needles in the garbage, after a city employee was injured and required immunization and
counselling. Proper handling and disposal will reduce this type of unnecessary injury to a minimum.
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