Following reports of medical waste found in a beach in Ocean City, located in the Southern part of New Jersey was closed to public today. According to the lifeguard station Ocean City officials, the 38th street beach was being investigated for possible presence of medical waste and will be kept closed until the investigation was through.
Another incident of the presence of cotton swabs, hypodermic needles, etc came into limelight when these medical wastes were washed ashore in beaches in Avalon on Tuesday. Following this incident, the Atlantic City officials closed the beaches there. According to these officials these two incidents do not look like they are related.
Officials also stated that all beaches between 38th and 40th streets will remain closed following the discovery of two hypodermic needles by the lifeguards at 39th street.
Teams from the fire department and hazardous materials were busy clearing up the waste according to Cape May County’s police scanner reports. A reward of $10,000 by the State Attorney General’s office was announced for anyone who could give information on the miscreants who dispose of medical waste on the beach leading to their arrest.
These incidents of medical waste disposal have arisen even as thousands of people are planning to throng these beaches for the Labor Day weekend.
Late 1980s saw similar incidents at the Southern New Jersey beaches with reports of hypodermic needles and other medical wastes washing ashore.
