The 1980s and early 1990s were a controversial time in United States history. The most notable case of controversy stems from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. There were numerous theories as to how the disease spread, but one well-known cause of this epidemic was the result of poor medical waste technology. In the 1980s, most medical waste management was regulated by each state. The most common method of disposing of medical needles at the time was the use of red plastic bags marked "Infectious". As the epidemic grew, laboratory technicians treating infected people realized that these bags were not useful in preventing the disease because the needle could pierce the plastic causing contamination. During this time period, medical waste was treated like common waste, exposing the daily worker to infection. Due to the negligence of hospital staff in improperly disposing of medical waste in the 1980s, the spread of HIV/AIDS occurred, forcing the federal government to adopt stricter restrictions on medical waste disposal. The AIDS scare began in 1981 when the Centers for Disease Control published a paper describing a rare lung infection in a group of men in San Francisco, California. The death toll by the end of the year had risen to 121 men. In 1985, an Indiana boy contracted HIV through blood treatments used to treat a condition called hemophilia. Unfortunately, the child died at the age of 18 due to an AIDS-related illness. By 1987, the World Health Organization had developed a program that raised awareness, shaped various policies, provided support to countries, initiated research, promoted the participation of non-governmental organizations… half of the document… September 11, 1991 , Academic Search Elite Database, EBSCOhost (April 3, 2014).The New York Times, “Medical Waste Causes Closing Of LI Beaches,” July 8, 1988 AcademicSearch Elite Database, EBSCOhost (April 3, 2014).SecondaryCenters for Disease Control, “Syringe Disposal,” December 2005, Academic Search Elite Database, EBSCOhost (9 April 2014).Environmental Protection Agency. “Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Waste.” BEE. http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/industrial/medical/mwfaqs.htm (accessed April 1, 2014). O'Connor, Leo. "Improving medical waste disposal." Mechanical Engineering 116, no. 5 (1994), Academic Search Elite Database, EBSCOhost (3 April 2014). “Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).” BEE. Environmental Protection Agency and Web. April 5. 2014. .