The Availability of Sharps Disposal Bins: A Survey of Airports in California

Abstract

Background: Sharps waste, especially medical sharps waste, can put those who come into contact with it at risk for injury and exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Options for self-injectors to dispose of their sharps while traveling vary greatly – from sharps containers in limited locations in some public restrooms to large kiosks centrally located to no containers at all. Currently, there is a lack of published data on sharps disposal bins in commercial airports. We surveyed commercial airports in California to assess the current state of sharps waste disposal. Many people with diabetes routinely use sharps every day for injecting medications or for self-monitoring glucose concentrations and these people, along with others who self-inject medications, must have a safe mechanism for sharps disposal when travelling by air. Methods: A five-question survey was sent to 30 commercial airports in California. Responses were collected and then analyzed based on the following three metrics: (1) the percentage of airports that responded and indicated that they had any sharps disposal bins, (2) the percentage of airports that responded and indicated that they had sharps disposal bins in over half their restrooms, and (3) the average percentage of bathrooms that have available sharps disposal bins in airports that responded to our survey. Results: Out of 30 commercial airports in California, we received survey responses from 13 airport representatives and direct email responses from 5 airport representatives. Out of 18 total responses, 11 airports (61.1%) reported that they had some form of available sharps disposal options. Out of the 13 survey responses, 6 airports (46.2%) reported that they had sharps disposal in over 50% of their restrooms. Conclusion: There is a lack of consistency in sharps waste disposal options among commercial airports in California. While many commercial airports in California offer sharps waste disposal options, not all commercial airports have sharps waste disposal options in all their public restrooms. There is room for improved availability of sharps disposal bins in California’s commercial airports.