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Pallone Calls for Crackdown on Medical Waste

July 14, 2010

Washington, D.C. – In response to concerns about medical waste washing up on New Jersey’s shores, Congressman Frank Pallone renewed his call for cracking down on ocean polluters with tough regulations on how to dispose of medical waste.

“Recent reports of medical waste on a New Jersey beach remind us that we must remain vigilant,” said Pallone. “When it comes to protecting our beaches it’s important to take a proactive approach.”

Pallone’s plan calls for a tracking system that will hold medical waste generators accountable and gives greater authority to take swift action investigating and prosecuting ocean dumpers. These provisions are all a part of the Medical Waste Management Act of 2011, which Pallone introduced on Thursday.

The legislation also establishes a syringe disposal program to educate the public about acceptable methods for individual syringe disposal.

Over the weekend, syringes were discovered on a local beach and were safely removed by authorities.

“Millions of people come to enjoy the Shore every summer and the health of the Shore is vital to the health of our state’s economy. We’ve already learned from the worst-case scenario which forced our beaches to close in the past. The tide has turned and I won’t let this happen again,” Pallone added.

The Medical Waste Management Act of 2011 continues Pallone’s efforts to prevent any ocean dumping off the Jersey Coast and any industrial uses of the ocean. Long before the Gulf oil spill, Pallone warned of the dangers of offshore drilling and has long-fought against beach pollution.