Abstract: An apparatus for destroying or rendering safe the metal needle portion of a hypodermic needle syringe in which the needle is destroyed by electrical resistance heating. The apparatus includes two electrodes that are generally disc shaped that are mounted so that they are a predetermined distance away from each other in an overlapping manner. During operation, the metal needle portion forms a resistive load between the electrodes which causes the metal to be incinerated and which causes switching circuitry to turn on a fan for a predetermined period of time. The fan draws smoke and emissions produced by incineration through a filter module. The filter module preferably includes a first filter having a porous layer and an antimicrobial layer, a second filter of activated carbon, a third filter of potassium manganate, and a fourth filter of activated carbon in series.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for destroying or rendering safe the metal needle portion of a hypodermic needle syringe in which the needle is destroyed by electrical resistance heating, the apparatus having complimentary electrodes which contact only the end one-eighth inch to three-sixteenths inch (1/8"-3/16") portion of the needle until the needle hub contacts the first electrode, at which point the first electrode is slidably movable toward the second electrode allowing the destruction of the remaining portion of the needle, the method being the progressive destruction of the end one-eighth to three-sixteenths (1/8"-3/16") portion of the needle until the hub portion of the needle contacts the first electrode, at which time the first electrode slidably moves toward a second electrode allowing the destruction of the remaining one-eighth to three-sixteenths inch (1/8"-3/16") of the needle.