The Truth about Germs on Money
There was a recent television show that depicted a terrorist who planned mass deaths by impregnating germs on money; namely, dollar bills. While the show was fictional, it is not farfetched to believe that money would be infested with any number of germs and bacteria; some of which could be potentially life threatening.
It is astounding how quickly money circulates through the population. In the space of only one day, a paper bill or a coin can change hands multiple times. When we pay for a purchase, the money will likely be given as change to someone else within a half hour’s time, with that person spending it in another store or passing it to someone else shortly thereafter. This exchange pattern can go very quickly in venues such as a large shopping mall over a holiday weekend or a busy ice cream counter on a hot summer’s day.
Consider now of the hands which are manipulating this money. Young children, busy executives, store clerks, drug dealers, priests, mothers, terrorists, police officers; the list goes on and on. Even with credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and check writing, money is still circulating in mass quantities across the world every minute of every day; every denomination of paper money and every coin variety is being used for many diverse purposes. Given the fact that many bacterium are able to live on a surface for several days, even money that is not circulated for a few days can be infected with one or more types of germs.
It is well known that numerous types of bacteria are found everywhere, including every inch of human skin. It is extremely easy to either pick up germs or pass them on when we handle any item, including money. Fortunately, humans are equipped with a magnificent preventative shield: our immune system. The immune system works unceasingly to keep bacteria levels in check within our systems. And, for most individuals, it works very well. Despite the incredible number of germs on money, few people actually become ill after handling it. Since we already have a large quantity of different types of bacterium on our hands, the contact with germs on money is not exposing us to anything we don’t likely already carry with us. Bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, streptococcus, enterobacteria and staphylococcus aureus are commonly found on random selections of cash at any given point in time.
While those with healthy immune systems may never experience a full blown infection or bout with an illness caused from these germs, individuals who have compromised immune systems may indeed be in danger of acquiring some type of illness by handling money. Since their immune systems may be weakened and unable to control growing populations of bacteria, these individuals could be infected easily from the germs. Frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer after handling money is wise in these cases.
Other countries encounter these same issues. British travel guides have documented recommendations for visitors to wash their hands after handling any money in the country; China sterilized cash under ultraviolet rays for an hour when attempting to stem the spread of SARS and Japanese ATMs feature money rollers heated to a little under 400° F to kill germs.
It shouldn’t be surprising or necessarily alarming to anyone that such a proliferation of bacteria or germs on money exists. All bacteria, even dangerous ones, have a purpose to fulfill in the circle of life, and a counterbalance of good bacterium is always on hand. Only when the balance is upset is there a threat of illness or disease, and through thorough hand washing after handling money we are able to control that balance more easily.