Bloody Syringes 'Full to the Brim'... Medical Waste Found in Apartment Garbage Dump

Used syringes, medicine bottles, and test tubes poured out in large quantities from a volume-based waste bag at an apartment in Busan. Photo by KBS News Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] Blood-stained syringes, medicine bottles, and test tubes have been found every week in the garbage disposal area of an apartment complex in Busan, prompting the police to launch an investigation.

According to a KBS report, a large number of used syringes, medicine bottles, and test tubes were dumped in the garbage disposal area of an apartment complex in Busan. The medical waste filled more than half of a 20ℓ volume-based waste bag.

Some syringes and test tubes were stained with a red liquid presumed to be blood. Workers from the waste collection company expressed anxiety, saying, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, when we already have to be careful, the thought of being pricked by needles contaminated with someone else's blood is very unsettling."

Residents of the apartment are particularly concerned because the garbage disposal area is adjacent to a playground, raising fears that children might touch the waste.

Although such waste disposal has been repeated for several months, there are no closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) installed near the garbage area, making it difficult for the police to identify the culprit. A delivery sticker with the apartment's address was found among the household waste thrown away together with the medical waste, which seemed to solve the case, but the homeowner stated that they did not dispose of it, returning the case to square one.

Medical waste poses risks of decay or infection and must be disposed of in specialized containers according to the Waste Management Act. Disposing of medical waste in regular volume-based waste bags is illegal. However, cases of people placing medical waste in regular volume-based bags due to cost concerns are frequently detected.

The Haeundae District Office received complaints from the collection company and began assessing the situation but, unable to find the illegal dumper, referred the case to the police. The police have started an investigation, including examining the medical waste stored by the company.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.