Medical waste litters beaches

A FOUR-FOLD increase in medical waste on British beaches, including syringes, plasters, and colostomy and blood bags and tubing, is reported by scientists from Bristol University in tomorrow's issue of the British Medical Journal, writes Liz Hunt.

Last autumn they found one item of medical waste per 1.3km of coastline compared with one per 5.4km two years earlier. Many of the items, particularly syringes and razor blades, pose a hazard to holidaymakers and lifeguards.