getting rid of the evidence

[CAP]

Found this pile of tweezers, hemostats and scissors in the woods amidst my relic hunt. Hundreds of them dumped here, must have been several years ago. How could you clean these instruments back to good condition?

Chris

[allen]

not sure if id honestly want too. never know where they came from or who they was used on.

[slow sweeper]

 ? ? Take all but the best to a proper landfill. Boil in water and soak in alcohol the rest. Don't know what you'd do with them. Can't be used for what they were meant to be used for. I wouldn't even want to touch 'em. USE GLOVES!

[hollowpointred]

bleach will kill any germs or microbes that might be on them.

[jeff of pa]

I'm shure If they have been there several Years there should be no Problem with any Diseases

 After all With all the Pleagues this world has gone thru, if Diseases Lasted, We'd be Digging

 Them up and reintroducing them into our lives.

Very Intresting Find, with Several Posabilities of there use.

 CONGRATS on the Cache !

 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? J E F F

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

Yea, be carefull. Its a shame someone dumbed those the way they did. I am happy you found them and can take care of them properly. I don't think they have any value unless valuable to you. Best of luck and HH, I think one job of our hobby is to clean up mother nature a little for the rewards she keeps for us.

[Steeler Fan]

I agree with MUD...I personally would dispose of them properly, especially if you do not know the history behind them. Just a thought I would suggest.

Steeler Fan

[slow sweeper]

     I know you're the moderator Jeff but I disagree with you. Without being a licenced medical physician I think it's irresponsible to suggest that there is nothing to worry about the handling of improperly disposed of medical waste. Who ever dumped that there is subject to fines in the thousands of dollars. This is not a matter to be taken lightly.
     And I for one just don't know what you could use them for.

[lobsterman]

 BEWARE !!! , ?i wouldn't be suprised if there were also hundreds of hypodermic needle's in the area , stay away from the area and contact the police imediately, if they do not act to get the area cleaned up, contact the state medical board, if i'm not mistaken illeagal dumping of medical waste is a federal offense,and the title of your post may be more appropriate than you realize. if it is near a residential area with children around, i'd also inform the parents so they can keep the kids out of the area until it is cleared.

 there is no value in them, and they are dangerous liability. do not attempt to clean them or sell them, it's just not worth it.

 Pat.

[treasurekidd]

I second Lobsterman on that one. No good can come from them, and they are considered "medical waste", so even if they are not contaminated, you don't want someone blaming YOU for putting them there or something. I'd call the local PD and have them check the area out, just in case there is more dangerous material in there. If there is, they need to get rid of it properly before something bad happens.

[jeff of pa]

? ? ?I know you're the moderator Jeff but I disagree with you. Without being a licenced medical physician I think it's irresponsible to suggest that there is nothing to worry about the handling of improperly disposed of medical waste. Who ever dumped that there is subject to fines in the thousands of dollars. This is not a matter to be taken lightly.
? ? ?And I for one just don't know what you could use them for.

 ? ?All I am saying is , IF they have Been there for years, there is absolutly no chance of any diseases, other then the Exact same Disease you could get from a Nail, or other metal Object, that has been in the ground for years.
 No matter Who touched it.
 ? ?& I stand by that comment, till someone can 100% prove to me Different.
 ? ? ? ?Would you be afraid to touch a Bullet, that may have passed thru the body of someone with Small Pox ?
 ? ? ? ? ? Or Touch a coin that May have fallen into a Outhouse ?
 ? ?If you are ? maby you better wear gloves & Steralize everything you Dig. and of course every piece of money you get from the store.

 ?No Insult intended here, Just ?my Rational Opinion ?

[resq937]

I would definately agree with reporting this to the local authorities---with any luck they can trace down where they came from.  I wouldnt take that find lightly if they dumped that kind of stuff i wouldnt be surprised to find other biohazards in the area---Just image if it was some young kids that found that stuff and not you.  I'm a EMT and a sight like that makes me shiver.  Some diseases can in fact lay dormant in dry blood and still come back to haunt you (if i recall correctly).  but might wanna check withthe Doc on that one----OSHA may be another resource to contact on this find.   

Might even get to see your name in lights for protecting the local area from that atrocity.

[treasurekidd]

Jeff, I do agree with you that there is little to no chance of those being contaminated, but I also agree with Lobsterman that those are a sign there may be more (worse) stuff in there. Anyone who would dump those there may have dumped other stuff in there, and no sense in taking chances with it, especially if there's kids in the area. PLUS, the write-up in the local paper about a metal detectorist finding and reporting a possible hazardous material find and the subsequent cleanup will look good for the individual, and the hobby in general. Just my 2 cents. With that said, happy hunting all!

[GunFarce]

Sort of answers the age old question your mother used to ask!!!

"Wheres the 'good' scissors" ?

[lobsterman]

 i had also thought it could be good PR for the hobby, but i'd steer clear of any pubicity until it gets cleaned up, but if nothing gets done about cleaning it up, then going to the press may be an option in order to make sure that it does get taken care of. but protect the kids at all costs. and who's to say some local kids didn't find them when they were freshly dumped, it's a scary thought.

  Pat

 P.S. there should be a paper trail to track where they came from

[rasrandy]

Nasty! Give em to someone of authority for testing cause you never know what or who they were used on. Especially since there are hundreds like you say.

[robert_from_austin]

Well, it's a free country - feel free to touch 'em all you want, but I wouldn't go anywhere near 'em...  the only one who needs to worry about catching anything is whoever touches 'em.

But I think it's just a little irresponsible to make a statement like 'there is absolutly no chance of any diseases' when you don't know for sure - none of us do. I've cut myself on glass and metal before while hunting, and even that scares me, so there ain't no way in hell I'd touch that stuff. What you do with it is your business, but think twice before claiming there's no diesease to be caught from them.

? ? ?I know you're the moderator Jeff but I disagree with you. Without being a licenced medical physician I think it's irresponsible to suggest that there is nothing to worry about the handling of improperly disposed of medical waste. Who ever dumped that there is subject to fines in the thousands of dollars. This is not a matter to be taken lightly.
? ? ?And I for one just don't know what you could use them for.

 ? ?All I am saying is , IF they have Been there for years, there is absolutly no chance of any diseases, other then the Exact same Disease you could get from a Nail, or other metal Object, that has been in the ground for years.
 No matter Who touched it.
 ? ?& I stand by that comment, till someone can 100% prove to me Different.
 ? ? ? ?Would you be afraid to touch a Bullet, that may have passed thru the body of someone with Small Pox ?
 ? ? ? ? ? Or Touch a coin that May have fallen into a Outhouse ?
 ? ?If you are ? maby you better wear gloves & Steralize everything you Dig. and of course every piece of money you get from the store.

 ?No Insult intended here, Just ?my Rational Opinion ?

[lobsterman]

  just a thought but they could have come from a vet. but feline aids and feline lukemia can be transmitted to humans, and they are more virulent and contagious. about ten times as many cats die from aids than humans "although it is usually downplayed in the media".
  i think the required disposal of medical wastes and sharps is incineration. but i've also read about needles washing up on New York and New Jersey beaches.

 Pat.

[49er]

I would have to agree with the majority of comments made, call hazmat. Could be an illegal medical dump area and someone was paid big bucks to destroy them, but figured what the heck just dump them in the woods and take home the cash. Could be some nasty and I do mean nasty stuff on them that could expose both you and your family to some serious disease's. Don't take the chance it's not worth your life or others. Think about it!

[slow sweeper]

     No insult intended here either. But maybe you could back up your quote of "absolutely no chance of diseases" with a little history of your medical background. Maybe you have some. I don't know. But without some kind of medical background I sure wouldn't be advising someone that there's nothing to worry about messing with illegally,and improperly disposed of medical waste. That's just nuts. In my humble opinion.

[jeff of pa]

I'm not going to argue with you,

 I posted My opinion

                 Nuff Said 

[resq937]

HERE IS THE BEST USE FOR THEM

TRACK DOWN WHERE THEY CAME FROM---AND OFFER TO SELL THE ITEMS BACK TO THEM---AND IF THEY DONT WANNA BUY EM LET EM KNOW THAT OSHA AND THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES WILL PAY YA GOOD MONEY FOR THEM--I AM SURE THEY WOULD OUTBID EVERYONE AT THAT COMMENT----JUST A THOUGHT THAT COULD TURN THIS FIND INTO YOUR BIGGEST TREASURE EVER


LOL    OH WELL SO IT MIGHT NOT BE THAT EASY

[NC Barefoot2]

You really found the stash today for sure.  I would think you could clean up the better looking one and then put some in each tool box.  They work great for small projects sometimes.  Congrats!

NC Barefoot2

[Free2Dtect]

Some use them as smoking aids so they do not burn their fingers. I seen the picture I only thought if left there some future detectorists well have one heck of a relic find. It is funny how someone can post something are it gets all kinds of replies. It's a free country so someone felt free to dump them there.

[dano91]

Whom ever dumped them there must have been VERY splinter prone. lol or had no eyebrows what so ever hahahah

[Jonster]

Used to be a dump spot near my old home that held similar utensils and needles, along with vials of Novocain and who knows what else. . We sold a Bunch of the stuff to some potheads.

Use anything you'd clean stainless steel with, I guess. They are safer than rusty nails, and a lot less likely to have Anthrax or Ebola than the soil they are sitting on!    Critters that harm us don't do so well outside of the moisture and temperature level of the preferred host. Be careful but no need to freak.

[hollowpointred]

BBQ TONGS HAHAHAHAHA!!!! :Dthose scissors could be some mighty sharp poultry scissors!!if you find syringes they could be flavor injectors!!...........before someone gets upset,im just trying to lighten the mood a little. the best bet is to leave em be and call the authorities.

[rvbvetter]

 ? ? ?I wouldn't go using them to turn over my Johnsonville Brats.
 ?I would say call the authorities. The sheer number of them would make the authorities curious enough to come out to investigate. That way: ?No fuss No muss. ? ? ?HH

[TOWcritter]

I'm curious...whats the half life of the AIDS virus?  Looks like trouble.  Let someone in authority know about it or just bury it your self if it's near a secret MD'ing spot you don't want anyone to know about.

[omnicognic]

You can't beat those things for the tackle box! great for de-hooking fish and tying flies! as far as their previous life after a boil of an hour there is ABSOLUTELY nothing to worry about!

[Free2Dtect]

Towcritter looking at your war of the worlds avatar let me remind you, bacteria are the enemy! 

[lobsterman]

 Aids will not last, but hepatitis B and C will last, possibly for years.
 

[Floater]

I'm not touching this one. Literally

[MDnoob]

I know Anthrax can stay in the ground for 100 years or so, so I assume that other thing can as well.

I can't resist:

"I say we dust off, and nuke the entire site from orbit.? It's the only way to be sure."
Quote from Aliens

[pepperpump]

you need to call your local health dept. and tell them about it and where it can be located...why would you even want to go near it???
pepperpump

[surfrat96]

I'll have to agree with Floater on this one!

[lobsterman]

 it's probably too late, they are probably allready soaking in a bucket of bleach in his basement.
   GOT HEMP ? 

[mattjd]

Alright everyone! Here is exactly what he should do with that medical stuff: First of all, stuff like that has NO value at all yet alone historic value. Just as a side note they are not several years old because if they were they would be a big pile of rust. They are under a year old. And don't forget that bacteria grows in hot and cold weather conditions. Medically know as Biohazards, these medical instuments are still contamanated with the disease(s) that the person they were used on last had. There is no reason for wanting to clean these up and make use of them. They should be reported to be properly disposed of. Not only will taking those make you be involved in an illegal act, you are also risking getting a serious disease. If you need some tweezers go buy a pair at the grocery store! ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Matt

 

[49er]

One last point then I quit on this subject. Don't take a chance with your health or for that matter any one else's health. Showed my wife who is a RN and stated "Keep Away" and call someone but don't take a chance.

[greenswinger]

I agree with all of you , but you are still wrong !!!!!!                        ;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              will detect for food      call br...549

[tammahawk]

DONT EVEN TOUCH IT IT COULD BE A BIO HAZARD IT LOOKS LIKE AN ILLEGAL MEDICAL WASTE DUMPING, BLOOD BORING PATHOGENS ARE NO JOKE AND ALL THE LIL LOVELY VIRUSES WE HAVE ,BEWARE!

[GunFarce]

Medical waste is the least scary stuff out there..

"The Nuclear Regulatory Commission reported last month that US companies have lost track of nearly 1500 such radioactive parts since 1996, and more than half were never recovered. Up to 30,000 radioactive parts have been abandoned or thrown away, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. "

 In 1998, thieves stole 19 tubes of medical cesium from a hospital in North Carolina. To
this day authorities have no idea where the material went, said Johnnie James, a local radiation emergency co-ordinator.

Beware.. It's scary out there

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/06/11/1022982847267.html

[Free2Dtect]

It's too late there was so much of that stuff there, even posting to this thread we all got it. LOL County nurse well want the names of everybody you have been with.

[MDnoob]

LOL!

[Free2Dtect]

Run it's the Q-tip.

[GunFarce]

The 'Q-Tip' would be a blessing.. It's the 'Rubber Glove' that scares the hell outa me!!! You get to experiance the "Muppet" syndrome 

[ghost surf]

WOW!
Straight/curved mosquetoes and Kelly pick-ups and toothed pickups and #3 knife handles......Hysterectomy clamps/non toothed intestinal clamps and # 6 needle nose pick-ups ...I know them all! I added some extras!
Say anydouble red bags lying around there..Warning, Warning, Dangerous!
Excuse me sir...with out sterilizing this stuff you found properly either in a 270+ degree steam autoclave or that of a gas autoclave you probably won't get them? sterilized..You don't have any idea what these where used for..In some cases it could have been used on an Aids case or that of Hep Virus which could contaminate you if you have any scratches that could be open on your hand,Even breathing certain disease's could be deadly,? If you don't want someone digging a hole for you within the next 3-10 years. I would say call the police so they can find out with investigations where this stuff came from.Not only that if you spread any disease form this which could be unknown ,you could end up in jail for a long time.This looks like something that should be investigated if it ain't being already!That is only the tip of the ice burg when it comes to disease's not mentioning the various uses for drus imparticular ect! Over 20 years of experience has told me that! Using Universal protection won't work either,Cross contamination could be deadly and you could take it home with you to your friends..Report it and be safe and get the hell out of there.
If you do not see any oxidation on this metal from weathering and dirt or rust,NOTE: most of these are made of stainless steal? they this won't rust...If they are still shiny.....Danger!!! they are not old! and the ground is probably contaminated also!And That is your surgery 101 for today.I had years of training in this stuff...Report it! or I will! Diseases canstay in the ground for many many years and even just from digging you can contract skin and lung diseases from years ago..TB .... Tuberculosis is one you can still get if you have not taken shots and can lurk in the ground a long time. Now!! What did you say you where going to use these for?

[Hounddog]

I work in a hospital most hospital engrave there insterments with there name so not to get lost when outside contractors sharpen/repair them. When a hospital gets rid of insterments that are to wore out they are cleaned first so not to pay more for bio wast. Most never see the trash they get handed out to anyone who wants them.
There is a market for them theres a booth at every flea market...
By the looks of the pile it was most likely some loot from a school bio lab, after all how many roch clips does one realy need

[Klaatu]

Huh?   

[CS110]

I'll second that "Huh?" with one of my own.  Huh?

[ozzysdad]

I worked in surgery for 17 yr's. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Get yourself a pair of heavey dishwashing glove's and gather them up and put them in a largeziplock bag and take them home and put them in container of bleach, and if you have a large enough pressure cooker you can re-sterillize them yourself. As for germ's, ordinairy soap will kill most viruse's, Aids is killed by exposure to air. It's a invitro virus, Also, remember some of the older surgical instrument's were made of silver, we even used gold needle's. Kelly's, and Pickup's and large forcep's we used to pitch when they would no longer hold a needle for suturing. We used to routinely pick thru them and take them home for the tackle box. I used to sell them to a guy who did taxidermy, and another who liked them for making trout fly's. They are handy for alot of use's. As was posted in a previous thread. Most hospital's do engrave their name or initials. Hemostat's and pickup's when bought new had incredible price's. most of the stuff from the early 80 had carbon steel insert's in the jaw's. And by law, The JCAH, Joint Commission American Hospital's required that all instrument's be dated.
Some stuff we just steam autoclaved, other more delicate instrument's were gas autoclaved with Ethylene Oxide, and is a carcinogenic substance. I alway's found a variety of uses for the old outdate stuff, As for the germ's and viral infection's, you have a better chance of catching hepititis from picking up the occasional turtle.

If your still that germ worried, pack a gallon of bleach with you and pour it or spray them before you pick them up. Alot of the general public's fear's about disease's are unfounded and supported by ignorance. Also, people using all the newer anti-microbial soap's thinking they are really helping themselve's and their familie's, Are only creating a larger problem by creating more highly resistent strains of bacteria's and disease's, that's the same thing that the over usage of antibiotic's has done.

The lowlife cockroache(sp.) has not changed in over 120 million years, he's just become more resillient to our pesticide's and learned to be more adaptive to the most destructive creature on this planet...... Human's........lol... i suppose enuff said....

[JackRussell]

I would call the police, let them deal with it... why would you want all those needles?

[Tags:]

Treasure > Photo Gallery > Today's Finds! (Moderators: Marc, jeff of pa) > Topic: getting rid of the evidence