Medical Waste Found in River

A discovery in a local river has officials on high alert. This week river cleanup volunteers found a large bag full of medical waste floating in the Shiawassee River. It happened just off M-21 in downtown Owosso. Officials say the public could be at risk. It's where children play and ducks swim, but the Shiawassee River has become home to something else.

George Pichette, Shiawassee County Health Department: "Needles, sharps, razors, things that would be used in medical facilities to treat patients."

George Pichette is the Public Health Director for Shiawassee County. He says, earlier this week, volunteers were getting ready for a river cleanup when they spotted a garbage bag of medical waste in the river. They called the health department and Owosso public safety, who are trying to find out who put the bag in the water.

George Pichette: "The other concern is there any more of them."

This isn't the first time medical waste has made its way into the waters of the Shiawassee River. Two years back, about 90 bags full of syringes and needles were found scattered throughout the river. Pichette says, while investigators search for answers, the public must proceed with caution.

George Pichette: "These things were used to treat patients whose health status we do not know. They potentially have one form of disease or another."

Which makes the murky waters even more risky. Officials say the Shiawassee River has never been safe to swim in, and this latest incident means it may not be safe for any form of contact. If you are going to be around the river, health officials advise you to wear shoes at all times.

The Department of Environmental Quality was not available for comment on this weeks' discovery, but they did solve the case from two years ago. In February the DEQ announced a nursing home in Livingston County was to blame for all the medical waste found in the river in 2007. Investigators say they don't know if the Howell Care Center physically dumped the items, but they do know it was negligent in how it disposed of the waste. The care center paid a fine and is being closely monitored by the state.