(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – In a nauseating calamity, coastal areas along the Delmarva Peninsula, stretching from Delaware to Virginia, have been troubled by an unsettling presence of medical waste.
See a video of the man-made disaster in the tweet below!
This incident occurring since September 14 has drawn attention from local authorities, prompting them to issue advisories urging the public to exercise caution on the beaches and to avoid entering the water.
The debris, including used syringes, tampons, and cigar tips, poses a significant health risk to beachgoers in these regions, as reported by WBAL and The Daily Caller.
Residents and visitors of the popular vacation spot, Ocean City, Maryland, have expressed their concerns over the situation.
“It’s very concerning. I mean, it’s not healthy,” commented Harry, a visitor, in an interview with WBAL.
The community has been particularly alarmed by the type and quantity of waste that has been deposited along their beloved shorelines.
In response to the crisis, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) heightened its operational readiness to a “partial” activation level.
The department has begun distributing resources and supplies to assist with beach cleanup efforts.
On September 16, MDEM announced via Twitter, “We are working closely with federal, state and local partners, as well as with officials from other affected states.”
The nature of the debris was detailed by Hugh Hawthorne, Superintendent of the Assateague Island National Seashore, in a statement to WUSA9.
“What we’re calling medical waste is primarily used needles … We also found a large amount of what we would call feminine hygiene products and miscellaneous pieces of plastic,” he explained.
Despite concerted efforts by town and health officials to pinpoint the source of the waste, its origins remain unclear.
“We will work with our state partners to look to see if we can figure out where it’s coming from. Again, it’s been very widespread, so it’s very difficult to determine a source at this stage,” Ocean City Town Manager Terry McGean said.
Efficient cleanup operations have enabled most beaches in Maryland and Delaware to reopen for the weekend of September 21-22.
However, the unresolved questions about the source and accountability for the waste continue to be a source of frustration for officials, as per a report by WUSA9.
In Delaware, authorities have advised beachgoers to wear closed-toed shoes and remain vigilant for any medical debris that might still be present.
Medical waste is washing up on Ocean City's beaches. Right now, the ocean remains closed to swimming and surfing as emergency management looks into the cause. Rangers are primarily finding used needles, used tampon applicators and cigar tips. Video Courtesy: Eric Wong @wbaltv11 pic.twitter.com/zRv7zOTMtA
— Tommie Clark (@TommieClarkWBAL) September 16, 2024
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