Each year, approximately 90,000 people in the state of Mississippi administer to themselves at least 30 million injections for medical problems such as diabetes, allergies, arthritis, migraines, HIV, and Hepatitis C. Most of these needles, collectively referred to as sharps , are simply disposed of by flushing down the toilet or throwing them in the trash at home, in the workplace, or other public places. This practice poses a potential risk of needle sticks to garbage collection employees, sewage treatment plant workers, janitors, and in some cases to the general public. Even where a used syringe may be recapped, there is the very real possibility that the cap could fall off before the syringe reaches its final disposal destination. While throwing syringes in the home trash is not illegal in most states, including Mississippi, there are alternative options for disposal which are safer and provide more protection to public health and welfare. Scores of needle stick injuries have been reported by waste management employees in Mississippi in recent years, and it is believed that many more needle stick injuries go unreported. Such injuries cost waste management companies thousands of dollars for medical testing. Even where victims are not infected with potential viruses, they usually undergo tremendous stress and worry. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality recommends that home syringe users inquire into the availability of the following options for sharps disposal. Visit the following website for information: Click Here to Open