[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 659 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 659

   Recognizing the need for consistent information, regulations, and 
guidelines regarding the safe disposal of used syringes outside medical 
                              facilities.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 2, 2004

 Mr. Bell (for himself and Mr. Bradley of New Hampshire) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the need for consistent information, regulations, and 
guidelines regarding the safe disposal of used syringes outside medical 
                              facilities.

Whereas the unsafe disposal of used syringes into public waste constitutes a 
        national health safety risk;
Whereas approximately 8,000,000 prescription syringe users in the United States 
        discard more than 2,000,000,000 used syringes outside medical facilities 
        every year;
Whereas, prior to recognition of the health safety risks, syringe users who 
        administered injections outside medical facilities were directed to 
        discard used syringes into public waste;
Whereas many syringe users are still unaware of available methods of disposing 
        used syringes safely, such as public needle collection centers and 
        disposal by mail options;
Whereas most syringe users who are unaware of safe disposal methods discard used 
        syringes in household trash containers, recycling containers, public 
        restroom trash receptacles, or the toilet;
Whereas discarding used syringes into public waste creates a risk that anyone 
        who encounters the used syringes may be injured or contract viruses such 
        as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV; and
Whereas there exists no consistent information, regulations, or guidelines 
        regarding the safe disposal of used syringes outside medical facilities: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the need for 
consistent information, regulations, and guidelines regarding the safe 
disposal of used syringes outside medical facilities.
                                 <all>