Danger at needle point

They were a family of ragpickers who died on duty. All of them were infected by the deadly HIV virus while scavenging through garbage dumps around hospitals in south Mumbai.
They are not the only victims of recycled (disposable, plastic) syringes and needles, which is increasingly proving to be a major health hazard.
This is validated by the rise in HIV, Hep B and C infections in the city. "Recycled syringes and needles have taken on serious proportions," says Dr Rohini Kelkar, microbiologist and secretary, Infection Control Society of India.
"The need to address the issue is imminent given that Mumbai is a designated hyper- endemic zone. The key lies in the safe disposal of used syringes."
Used syringes are recapped and dumped with ordinary garbage which then find their way back to users.
Clandestine operators collect and reuse them. Paucity of funds prompts certain hospitals and clinics to repeat usage.
In an ideal situation, the needle should be destroyed as per standard safety norms or burnt. Cutting them can destroy but not disinfect.
Consider the stakes. As per a WHO document, the HIV virus can survive in a syringe full of blood for as many as seven to ten days. As for needles, the danger depends on the thickness of the bore.
Unlike a widebore needle, the proteins of a thin bore needle cannot be cleaned after use.
Though auto-disabled syringes recommended by WHO are slowly entering the market, given higher costs, they are largely used for immunisation purposes.
Certain voices of the medical fraternity have been promoting the idea of reverting to the use of glass syringes.
"The advantage of using glass syringes is that they are disposable," says Dr Ashwini Bhalerao Gandhi Bhalerao, of Hinduja Hospital. "Given the extensive misuse, whenever possible we should try and go back to glass syringes."
But, there''s cause for concern over their usage. "People simply boil the needles and syringes which, contrary to common perception, doesn''t disinfect," explains Kelkar.
"They have to be cleaned, steam sterilised, and packed. Most of the hospitals don''t have any systems in place."
Sadly enough, even plastic syringes manufactured by certain companies don''t meet up to international standards but yet are extensively used.
The syringe has a certain rubber attachment which is supposed to be siliconised (to ensure noreaction) but it reeks of raw rubber.