NJ DEP reports home health care syringes, not medical waste, washed up on Manasquan Beach
The Department of Environmental Protection says the trash and home health care syringes found on a Manasquan beach were due to a sewer system overflow following heavy rainstorms.
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Home health care syringes - and not what was initially believed to be medical waste - washed up on the beach on Saturday in Manasquan.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says it was not regulated medical waste.
The DEP says the household trash, which included home health care syringes, was from a sewer system overflow due to recent heavy rainfall. Following raking, cleaning and monitoring through three high tides, the beach nearest the inlet was determined to be safe.
Those swimming or simply soaking up the sun with feet buried in the sand had no issues with returning to the beach on Tuesday.
"Well I felt bad, the water has been beautiful all year. So I knew it was a freak thing," said Patricia Rigby, of Brielle.
Brad Gardner was also confident as dad from Point Pleasant was quickly changing his clothes following work to join his children on the beach.
"We had a talk, my wife and I about waiting a day past what they recommended which I think they recommended two tide cycles. I feel like another day had gone by with no other incidents. I think I’m good with it," said Gardner.
The DEP says beach the was cleaned, raked and monitored through three high tides over the weekend with no more debris present.
On Saturday, similar syringes were found in Seaside Park and in Point Pleasant Beach.
