| 1. |
West Virginia Department of Health
and Human Resources
Bureau for Public Health
Office of Environmental Health Services
Infectious Medical Waste Program
presents:
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| 2. |
Proper
Disposal of Household Sharps |
| 3. |
The responsible disposal of syringes and sharps
is your part in protecting the public and the environment.
You can help prevent injury, illness and
pollution by following some simple steps when you dispose of the sharp
objects and contaminated materials you use in administering health care in
your home.
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| 4. |
To Properly Manage
Your Sharps:
You should place needles, syringes, lancets, and
other sharp objects in a hard plastic or metal container with a screw on
or tightly fitting lid.
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| 5. |
Examples of Suitable
Containers for Sharps Disposal:
A coffee can - the plastic lid must be securely fastened with
heavy-duty packing tape,
a liquid laundry detergent container, or
a plastic pop bottle.
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| 6. |
Collecting Your Sharps:
Use the container to store all sharps until it is filled half-way, then
follow the directions below.
Be sure to store your collection container away from children and animals.
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| 7. |
Packaging Your Sharps
Container for Disposal:
Sharps must be disinfected prior to being placed into the garbage.
Mix: 1 Tablespoon of bleach, and 1 Pint of water (16 oz.).
Pour mixture into container and seal.
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| 8. |
Label the Container
Before Disposing:
Using a permanent marker, write the following on the container:
TREATED SHARPS, NON RECYCLEABLE
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| 9. |
Disposing Your Treated
and Labeled Container:
Place the container in a garbage bag and tape or tie the open end.
Place this garbage bag into your regular garbage.
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| 10. |
Questions:
If you have questions or concerns about disposing your household
sharps, please contact us.
Infectious Medical Waste Program
Office of Environmental Health Serivces
1 Davis Square, Suite 200
Charleston, WV 25301-1798
Phone: (304) 558-6783 or (304) 558-6725
Email: dthornton@wvdhhr.org
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