Port Chester’s Department of Public Works announced Tuesday one of its sanitation vehicles was quarantined by Westchester County after radioactive materials were detected in the collected garbage.
The village of Port Chester posted an update to social media for residents in the vicinity of Locust Avenue. A similar incident occurred in a different area of the village this June.
“Residents are again encouraged to abide by the rules and regulations of local garbage pickup and to speak with their doctor should they be discarding ANY medical waste that may have traces of radiation,” the Facebook post said Tuesday.
The radioactive material was discovered by radiation detection equipment at a regional waste transfer facility. As part of standard safety protocols, the vehicle will be detained at the facility until the material decays to acceptable levels.
“This process can take days or, in some cases, weeks,” said the statement from the village. “A single contaminated load can remove an entire sanitation truck from service, significantly impacting Village operations and reducing our ability to efficiently collect and manage refuse throughout the community.”
While it’s difficult to determine who discarded the waste, the village noted that in certain instances, individuals undergoing cancer treatment or nuclear medicine procedures may generate waste products that contain detectable levels of radioactivity.
“If you or someone in your household has recently undergone such treatment, please consult your healthcare provider regarding the proper handling and disposal of any related materials before placing them in the trash,” the statement said.
Port Chester officials warned residents the loss of a collection vehicle could place a strain on sanitation services, including route delays, reduced collection efficiency, and increased operational costs.
