Santa Clara County, CA — The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the county’s hospital system for alleged illegal dumping of hazardous and medical waste, including fentanyl, blood, human tissue, and personal patient information. The violations reportedly occurred over the past year.
Investigators found improper disposal practices at Valley Medical Center, O’Connor Hospital, and St. Louise Hospital. Beginning in November 2023, District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s office, with assistance from California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, conducted unannounced inspections. During these inspections, officials discovered hazardous waste items in trash compactors that were improperly managed.
The items found included:
- Blood-filled vials
- Human tissue
- Non-empty vials of prescription drugs, including fentanyl
- Batteries and e-waste
- Documents containing confidential patient information
State law mandates that medical and hazardous waste be managed carefully from “cradle to grave,” meaning it must be properly segregated, stored, and disposed of, often by incineration or sterilization. Violations could result in penalties of up to $70,000 for each instance of hazardous waste disposal and $10,000 for each medical waste violation.