NYC Sanitation Workers Face Rising Needle-Stick Risk Linked to GLP-1 Injectables
New York City sanitation workers are seeing a growing number of needle-stick injuries, with 35 incidents reported by June 3, 2026 and a projected year-end total around 83, up from 25 in 2019. The uptick coincides with widespread use of GLP-1 injections (like Ozempic), as more people dispose of needles in trash, creating safety hazards for DSNY crews who collect waste and sharps across the city; veteran workers report a notable cluster of incidents in Staten Island over the past 14 months.