A recycling collector in Torfaen has been given the all clear after pricking his finger on a hypodermic needle left out for recycling.
The collector, who works for Torfaen Council's contractor Cleanstream, received blood test results this week, ending months of anxiety over his health.
He was tested for HIV, hepatitis A, B and C and syphilis.
The incident happened in February while he was out sorting black boxes in the Thornhill area of Cwmbran.
The needle was amongst cans in a black rubbish sack left on top of a recycling box.
"I've been living a nightmare for the last three months not knowing whether I've been infected," said the collector, who does not wish to be named.
"I was shaking when I received the results because I feared they were going to be a death sentence. I was so relieved when I heard everything was going to be ok."
A Torfaen Council spokesman said it was totally irresponsible for someone to leave a needle in a plastic bag like this.
The spokesman said only a small minority of residents contaminated their recycling with items like used nappies, sanitary towels, dog faeces and broken glass.
"We are relieved that the collector has been given the all clear," he said.
"Cases like this highlight how important it is to only put out the correct materials in your black box.
"We would prefer materials, except textiles, to be put in loose so that collectors, who wear appropriate safety gear, can clearly see what boxes contain.
"Thankfully, the vast majority of residents do a good job but we are appealing to the minority of people to take extra care and only put out the appropriate items."
The spokesman urged people to only put out newspaper and magazines, tins, can and aerosols, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and textiles in their black boxes.
Apart from textiles, which must be bagged to keep them dry, all other items can be put in loose.
If residents want to separate materials into bags they should use plastic carrier bags and not black rubbish sacks.
For more information visit the Rubbish, Waste and Recycling| area of the website.