Jenkintown Borough announced today that it was notified by contracted waste hauler, Republic Services, that their Radioactive Waste Monitor has indicated a positive test in the borough’s trash stream at the trash transfer station.

According to the announcement, the truck has been quarantined until materials are identified and removed. Republic Services said the detection may be caused by “improper disposal of items contaminated with residual medical waste, specifically chemotherapy waste materials.”

From the announcement:

Republic Services has also reported that the readings are often caused by products designed for bodily waste disposal and/or personal hygiene, such as diapers, depends, gauze wrap, gauze patches, needles, etc. While these items are normally disposed of in the regular curbside collection, when an individual is undergoing medical procedures that utilize low level radioactive elements, such as chemotherapy, those items must then be properly disposed of at your local hospital or they can be held for 7 days/next pick up as it has a quick/short shelf life.

Republic Services asks that residents be aware of this situation and take appropriate action to dispose of these items.  The Borough could be liable for costs of proper disposal and cleaning as well any delays that could occur with trash collection if proper safe handling of these waste materials is not followed. 

Should residents have any questions, please contact Republic Services at (610) 265-6337. If there is an emergency, please call 911. 

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