Found syringes

[rogl]

More of a what the fuck do I do?

I live in a rented flat, 6month lease currently in month 4.

No problems with the flat until today.
I noticed that the dirty water from the kitchen sink is back flowing into the washing machine so I unscrewed the drainpipe that collects large bits of debris.
When I did this a bunch (4 or 5) of needles/ syringes fall out.

What the hell do I do now?
The toilet seems to be struggling to flush as well, I don't know if it's linked or not. I'm worried there are more in other drains.
I've tried ringing the EA but they're closed and I have no emergency number.
Is it something I even need to discuss with them or the landlord?

Environmental Health probably, will have a 24 hr phone number on the council website

Were they putting them down the sink?!

If you can pick them up safely, with tongs or something, put them in a bottle. Something like a coke bottle, mark it as sharps and you can take it to a pharmacy or your doctor for disposal. Definitely call your Letting agent or landlord. You need the rest of the pipes checked 🤢

Definitely will need to be explained to Landlord/ EA. If you have children, I would say it's no longer safe to stay there, until the drains etc have been checked and cleared, you never know what else could have been left behind.
Make sure you don't touch any if possible, or if you do need to, wear thick gloves (marigolds?) and put the needles in a thick bag, like a tesco bag for life, and put them totally out of reach until you have spoken to landlord (sure it's not safe just to put them in the general bin)

Hope this all gets sorted for you, how awful!

That's my concern, the rest of the drains!
Also all of our water has run through them and into our washing machine.
I haven't got a number for the landlord and won't be able to contact the EA until Monday when they're office is open.
Will environmental health be interested?
I have a 3 year and I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant so really not ideal

Might be really offbase but should they be tested for illness/desease?or u because of contamination?I might be temtped to phone healthcare number.but I don't no how waterworks work nor the passing of disease in this situ...sorry.

I found a syringe outside and was concerned about kids picking them up my council gave me a number to to ring I think it was connected to needle exchange the came and disposed of it is there anything like that near you?

I have no idea to be honest, I don't even think my local council will open until Monday.
I have no idea how long they've been there or if there is any residue left on them.

They're not particularly sharp looking so I'm stumped for what they can be used for.

Obviously being pregnant I've had all manner of blood tests done so I know nothing has contaminated us, still doesn't make me feel secure about my water running through anymore of then

I suppose I could take them to boots and they would dispose properly but to be honest I want the landlord to see them

I do volunteer litter picking and we always use a plastic bottle for syringes, I wouldn't put them in a bag at all.
If there are any more then they would be in the drains not the water supply so you could avoid using the Washing machine until you get advice. But water from taps will be ok, just keep an eye out for the drains back flowing.

Yes, I would put them safe and keep to show the landlord

You say they're not particularly sharp? Do you mean it's just a syringe with no needle?

Could u call walk in centre or 111 even local hospital could advice on any dangers I'm sure.put them in freezer bag and keep secure for landlord.do u have parents,anyone to stay with fr a few days if ur feeling unsure.try not to feel scared just think ways going to help until u get answers u need.

I've attached a picture because it's really hard to explain what they are

I think they're tangled in string

I've had a look and you can buy them on amazon

I'm even more clueless now

Your kids are at no greater risk than you. As you've only just found them clearly the place was not full of druggie booby traps (oh, the things you learn when a wrong'un moves in....)

Don't touch, don't panic, contact agency on Monday . and get an emergency number and a landlord contact in case you do get an urgent problem.

Repeat don't touch, although after all this time I think the viruses will have died. No need to move out.

They look like cannulas, strangely, or the needles used for taking blood samples.

They look like filter needles . Not normally used for injecting just drawing up medication from a bottle etc .

They're drawing up needles. They are not used for injecting. It is unlikely (although not impossible) that they were used for heroin or some other illicit substance, they tend to use insulin syringes with an attached needle.
Since you've been there 4 months is say any danger they may have posed in terms of contamination (minimal at best) is long gone. Stick them in a bottle show your landlord then take them to a pharmacy for disposal.

Keep them, or at least photograph them clearly. If whoever lived there before you thought it was ok to put them down the sink then they probably flushed/chucked all sorts of crap you shouldn't put into pipe work down. There's probably a blockage somewhere, but at least the needles will 'prove' it wasn't you being an idiot and costing the landlord repair money so tell your landlord as they will probably want work done on the pipes before something more expensive to fix happens.

They look like quite large bore needles, and quite blunt, not the type you'd use for shooting up drugs I don't think. I'm thinking maybe something got stuck down the plughole at some point and someone's used them to try to poke it down! Maybe not, just a thought. If you're worried use bottled water until Monday and contact EA and environmental dept of your local council.

It's spaghetti (not string)

Not helpful I know. Sorry!!

My council will send out someone to pick them up for you. They can not be put in the ordinary rubbish
And yes contact the landlord.

Okay so not so freaked out now, dh seems to think they're part of a kit you can buy to make your own vaping juice.

I makes sense but still racking my brain why some dick would put them down the bloody sink.

I'm going to see if the water backs up into the washing machine still and if not I'll buck a load of bleach and boiling water and go from there

I will definitely be telling the EA, I don't want the blame for any drain issues and they still may want to investigate

They look a lot like the needles I see when I give blood.