Hypodermic needle and syringe destructors from Lincolnshire company Balcan Engineering have been sent out to the tsunami-hit town of Banda Aceh in Indonesia by the World Health Organisation
The patented devices are the only 'defangers' listed in the Who-Unicef product information sheets and are supplied widely to government and aid organisations around the world, including thousands for USaid, the charity supported by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
The manually operated Destructor chops the whole needles into several pieces and in the same action cleanly cuts both the hub and nib from the syringe so it can't be used again and can be disposed of as a 'non-sharp' item.
This results in considerable saving of space in sharps boxes and the subsequent cost of disposal as the syringes can be put into much cheap clinical waste bags.
"Our device has become increasingly popular in the third world and with relief organisations where health budgets are tighter than in the UK," explained Balcan's managing director John Rinfret.
"It's a highly efficient and cost effective solution for safe sharps disposal but is also particularly hard wearing, easy to operate and can be used anywhere without needing a power supply".
The Destructor reduces the likelihood of accidental needlestick injury from sharps boxes that are overloaded or where storage near warm radiators means whole needles can pierce the casing.
As the needles and syringes can't be used again, they are no longer susceptible to theft or misuse, which is particularly useful in preventing them being used as weapons in police stations and prisons.
The mechanical devices require minimal servicing, apart from occasional cleaning.
Made from tough stainless steel, Destructors are designed to be easy to clean and maintain and are fast to operate with a simple lever.
The waste is safely stored in pots underneath (holding around 250 destroyed needles) which are capped when full and easily disposed of.
