New Jersey authorities confronted with the shore’s worst pollution case in 20 years, which forced beach closures at the height of vacation season.

Thomas McFarland, 59, who lives and practices dentistry in Wynnewood, Pa., was charged last Thursday night with unlawfully discharging a pollutant and unlawful disposal of regulated medical waste, the authorities said on Friday.

According to police affidavits, on August 22, McFarland took his motorboat to Townsend Inlet near Avalon and dumped a bag full of some 300 dental-type needles, along with 180 cotton swabs and other materials from his Wynnewood, Pa., medical office, New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram said. The motifs lying behind his decision were not known. Needles and other debris were found on a mile-long stretch of Avalon beach within 12 hours.

Avalon beaches were closed five days as waste washed ashore between Aug. 23 and last Tuesday. In all, more than 200 syringes were picked up.

“Many people who live or vacation at the Jersey Shore could not enjoy one of New Jersey's most precious natural resources” because of this incident, Milgram said. However, she wanted to calm concerns about safety at the Shore. “I want everyone to understand that New Jersey’s beaches are clean and safe and that this is an isolated incident.”

If convicted, McFarland faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $125,000.

Wildwood lawyer Joseph Rodgers, who is representing McFarland, said Rodgers didn’t comment over the case.