Medical Waste and Trash Washes Ashore in New Jersey, Beaches Closed

[Lobster Martini]

Update--The local TeeVee news just said that the medical waste has been collected and will be examined to identify its source. Still no word as to whether the beached will be reopened this afternoon.

Trash Washes Up, Forces Beach Closures at Shore

Several beaches along the Jersey Shore were closed today after medical waste and other trash started washing ashore, authorities said.

The source of the waste -- which beachgoers said included syringes, tampon applicators, gauze and other debris -- was not immediately known, and there were no reports of injuries. Most of the waste was found on beaches and in the waters off Monmouth and Ocean counties, authorities said.

An eight-block stretch of coastline along Normandy Beach in Ocean County was closed shortly after the first waves of trash were reported at about 2 p.m., and officials said it was not known when the beaches would be allowed to reopen.

State environmental officials were notified about the problem and were involved in the investigation to determine the source of the waste and who was responsible for it.

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Link: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/09/trash_washes_up_forces_beach_c.html

[Callalily]

1. Profit outweighs everything!

How sad.

[mcscajun]

2. Well, that'll end the holiday weekend early for many.

And tomorrow morning, the investigation will get a whole lot less press.

[Robbien]

3. Guess the garbage barge didn't go far enough into the ocean

when illegally dumping the stuff overboard.

Ha! Love it when Karma strikes back.

[JerseygirlCT]

5. Well, the only people who are being struck here are those

who enjoy the beaches. Lots of families, a good number of teens...

I'm missing the karma here, myself.

[Robbien]

6. If the public is silent about the issue

this dumping will remain unpunished and will continue.

Many calls to your mayor, governor, papers are needed. If not, the public gives silent consent to the illegal dumping.

[JerseygirlCT]

7. Just to clarify

Those are my beaches in a sentimental sense.

I no longer live there, though I grew up there.

[JerseygirlCT]

4. Argh!!!

Those are my beaches!

I remember seeing that sort of waste even as a kid. (And yes, that was a LONG time ago!)

This is just awful and disgusting.

I'd like to see jail time for the leaders of the companies that are caught dumping.