Beaches closed from Delaware to Virginia due to old medical supplies, like needles and syringes, washing up on shore while civilians were swimming.
Virginia is home to 25 beaches, which are all popular vacation spots for families and friends around the country. Additionally, Maryland is home to 15 beaches and Delaware is home to 10 beaches. All of these are monitored closely for safety and cleanliness by Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) field professionals.
According to a Newsweek Article, during a trash cleaning at Assateague State park in Maryland, over 50 needles were discovered. All together, enough medical supplies to fill an entire bucket were found and removed from shore. Not only are these supplies sharp and dangerous, but they are also used, which makes them significantly more hazardous.This type of waste being in a place where families and children so frequently visit is crucial to their health. Several beaches have been closed from the public as officials attempt to clean the waste and deduce where it came from.
Along with needles and syringes, used feminine products were also found washed up along the beaches. This caused further concerns for the cleanliness of the public spaces. Beaches in Maryland were closed after patrols doing their morning rounds at Assateague Park discovered these alarming items washed up on the shore. The fact that such unsafe materials and items have been washed up in a peaceful and normally safe area has caused a lot of worry and chaos in the three states where supplies are washing up: Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. Many people’s plans were disrupted because of the beaches being shut down for the public, causing more chaos.
Currently, officials are still trying to trace the source of the materials. It was reported that not much more has washed up since Sunday when it was first discovered. According to a WBOC Article, Ocean City Officials are saving the medical supplies that washed up as evidence to do tests and trace the source. According to Newsweek, the National Park Service there has made a statement saying they have no clue where the waste came from, causing more alarm in people from surrounding communities.
As of right now, the community and citizens wait anxiously for answers. Beaches will stay closed until safety can be promised for visitors, and the health threat is under control. This sudden situation brings attention to the importance of beach safety and proper waste disposal to protect the environment and the people and animals who live in it. Keeping these beaches clean and safe is essential for the health of visiting citizens because not only are they highly appreciated areas, but they bring visitors from all around the US. People swim, play, surf, sunbath, and more at these beaches, so an unsafe environment could be detrimental for these visitors.
