Nearly 10 million Americans use syringes to inject themselves with medications. It could be for diabetes, arthritis, HIV, or infertility – even migraines. Those numbers are on the rise.
And when they’re done, those home users toss some 3 billion syringes into the trash each year. That poses health risks to workers handling that trash.
So state lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal to toss syringes in the trash. And those who sell or distribute them would have to participate in a needle take-back programs.
NHPR’s Dianne Finch has more.
