“Large quantities” of debris including some medical waste -- such as disposable syringes -- began washing up along Delaware beaches starting Sunday, the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said.
The junk began washing up just hours after Saturday’s Del. Coastal Cleanup.
The debris -- mostly consisting of plastic -- continued to wash ashore at Slaughter and Broadkill Beaches as of Tuesday night, officials said.
It’s unclear what other beaches could be affected.
“The trash is believed to be following a southerly flow pattern that began Sunday and is attributable to recent heavy rainfall that led to flooding, as well as the aftermath of Hurricane Irene,” DNREC said in a release.
Volunteers are being supplied with bags and resources to help remove the junk, officials said.
Anyone picking up debris on the beach should wear gloves. They should not touch medical waste and call the 24-hour toll-free emergency response line: 1-800-662-8802.
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