§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice his Department has issued to health authorities regarding the risk of contracting the hepatitis B virus from discarded needles;
(2) what research his Department has conducted into the risks of infection by the hepatitis B virus through discarded needles in refuse.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 16 March 1990]: We are unaware of any specific research in this area, but advice on the risks of hepatitis B contamination from discarded needles and other "sharps" is contained in "The Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste" which was issued to all health authorities in 1982. Further advice is contained in "Guidance for Clinical Health Care Workers: Protection Against Infections with HIV and Hepatitis Viruses" which was issued to health authorities in January this year. Copies of the documents mentioned are available in the Library.