NJ beaches reopen after syringes, debris wash ashore

LONG BEACH ISLAND, N.J. - June 17, 2012 (WPVI) -- Nearly 13 miles of beaches in New Jersey have reopend after health officials reported finding syringes and debris washed ashore.

On Saturday, Long Beach Island Health Department closed a stretch of beach from Barnegat Light South to Ship Bottom along the Jersey Shore.

Officials say medical waste, trash and debris washed up on the beach along with eelgrass.

The health department closed the beaches while township officials worked to clean things up.

The beaches that were closed and have since reopened include: Barnegate Light, Harvey Cedars, Surf City and Ship Bottom. Again, these beaches are closed until further notice.

Officials say a number of unregulated home generated insulin syringes were mixed in with the other debris.

They believe the debris came from the sewer overflow systems or from the inner shore lines of the New York, New Jersey Harbor areas.

All other lifeguarded ocean, bay and river beaches are also open.

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