Businessman has been importing hospital waste since 2001 and more is on the way

Following the interdiction of a store and at least one warehouse belonging to a garment manufacturer in the state of Pernambuco, authorities are now pretty sure that hospital waste from the United States has been coming into Brazil for years where it was used to make clothing.

Two establishments closed down by health officials are located in the towns of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe and Toritama. Both belong to the same company, Intimacy (“Na intimidade”) that uses the trade name “Forro de Bolso,” which, as it translates as “pocket,” indicates that they made pockets that were sown into clothing. And it has become clear that the fabric used to make the pockets was the hospital waste from the US. There are also indications that the material was used to make some clothing.

Inspectors have found pieces of fabric with what could be bloodstains. They also found items being sold made of fabric that had the names of US hospitals stenciled on them.

The site of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade reports that an importer who owns Intimacy, called “Forrozão” (“big pocket or lining”), made imports of up to $1 million annually between 2001 and 2009. Beginning in 2009, Intimacy made imports in the same amount

Meanwhile, the maritime agency that transports the containers imported by Intimacy (some 46 tons of the stuff so far this year), reports that another 14 containers are on their way. Imports documents describe the contents as “cotton fabric with defects,” or “pieces of cloth.” Inspectors found bedsheets, dressing gowns, scrub suits, pajamas, pillowcases, bath towels, aprons, baby clothing and diapers – along with gloves, syringes, needles, bandages, gauze and catheters – all dirty and used.

The National Disease Control Agency (“Agência Nacional de VigilânciaSanitária – Anvisa”) has made it clear that it classifies the material as “potentially infectious residuals.” Under Brazilian legislation it is illegal to import such material.