The State : Medical Waste Comes Ashore

At least a dozen syringes and other unmarked medical vials washed ashore in Orange County, forcing officials to close a 2-mile stretch of coast in Newport Beach. A hazardous waste specialist with the Orange County Health Care Agency said the medical flotsam appeared harmless and speculated that the material may have been thrown from a private boat. Some of the syringes, which were capped and empty, bore labels marked insulin. The official said there apparently is no connection between the latest incident and one in November when about 70 vials were found along beaches in Orange and San Diego counties. The beaches probably will be reopened today, officials said.