Beaches have been closed to swimming this week along the East Coast after hypodermic needles, syringes, and other medical waste were discovered.
The closures affected beaches in Delaware , Maryland , and Virginia , and the cause of the mystery waste remains under investigation .
Visitors and residents have been advised to avoid the ocean and wear shoes while strolling on the sand.
Medical waste poses serious risks to human health and can carry harmful and drug-resistant microorganisms. Plastic waste on beaches is also a threat to marine life. Pieces can become lodged in animals’ throats and stomachs when they mistake it for food.
“The ocean remains closed at this time. We continue to work with state agencies to assess beach and ocean conditions. We will allow ocean access as soon as it is safe to do so!” Delaware’s Town of Dewey Beach wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning. One Facebook user replied to the post with a photo of waste they had found.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said it was working with federal, state, and local authorities to monitor its spread.