Dirty Money: Diseases spread through money (Currency notes)

Dirty Money: Diseases spread
through money (Currency notes)

through money
• Do you know Currency notes are one of the dirtiest
items that are dirtier than toilets we use daily?
• Do you know the dreadful diseases that are spread
through currency notes?
• Do you know how many people wrong handled your
money previously?
• What if they are suffering from the flu or some
other communicable disease?
• Paper currency notes are a good home for
dangerous bacteria that’s why it is called dirty and
contaminated money.

through money

through money
• Contagious or communicable diseases are
transmitted from one person to another person
through various materials like napkins, keys,
soaps, currency notes, etc.
• These types of infectious materials transfer
dangerous bacteria from one person to another
person which leads to severe health hazards.
• Right from cashier to beggar everyone carries
currency notes due to this money is one of the
primary sources for germ transfer and
contagious diseases.

through money
• A Paper currency note is widely exchanged
for goods and services in countries
worldwide.
• An individual living in unhygienic
conditions having unhygienic habits will
contaminate the notes with bacteria and
these notes will act as a vehicle delivering
bacteria to contaminate the hands of the
next user.

through money
• Improper hand washing after using the
toilet, counting paper notes using saliva,
coughing and sneezing on hands then
exchanging money, and placement or storage
of paper notes on dirty surfaces leads to the
contamination and these notes will act as a
vehicle delivering bacteria to contaminate the
hands of the next user.

through money
• The money makes for easy transfer of
microorganisms and thus cross
contamination.
• Paper notes of currency which is handled by a
large number of people, under a variety of
personal and environmental conditions thus
increase the possibility of acting as
environmental vehicle for the transmission of
potential pathogenic microorganisms.

through money
• The lower the index values of the money,
the higher the microbial contamination of
the currency.
• They further showed that the age of the
notes and the material that was used to
produce the notes influence the number of
microbial contamination.

The lower the index values of the money,
the higher the microbial contamination

through money
• Lower denomination notes harbor the
greatest bulk of infectious agents since they
are exchanged more than higher
denomination notes.

through money
• Currency notes in circulation are contaminated
with various microbial agents of which most are
resistant to commonly used antibiotics and
therefore represents risks and public health hazards to
the community and individuals handling currency
notes.

through money
• Money is the most widely used and sought after service
on the planet. The transfer of paper currency has been
the model of economic exchange since its introduction
in China circa 1000 AD.
• In the late 1800s and early 1900s, scientists began to
theorize that the transmission of money was
associated with the transmission of disease.
• Modern scientific techniques have confirmed these
theories and have shown that viable athogenic
organisms (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) can be
isolated on the surfaces of both paper and coin
currency.

Dirty Money: Diseases spread through
money

through money
• Modern banknotes are made from a special
blend of cotton, linen, other textile fiber and
animal gelatin for the surface coating of
banknotes with small segments of fiber.
• The cotton/ linen/fiber combination of banknotes
produce a strong bond and do not pull apart,
unlike the fibers of ordinary paper. Recently
many countries have been replaced banknotes
from paper to plastic polymers.

Modern banknotes are made from a special
blend of cotton, linen, other textile fiber

through money
• Although the primary purpose for the
development of this plastic polymers substrate
was to enhance security, it has been proven
that this material provides other advantages
i.e. it has a higher tear resistance than paper,
more resistant to folding and soiling, it is
nonporous, and it does not absorb water or sweat.
• Given these characteristics, polymer banknotes
may be cleaner than paper currency.

through money
• Research has shown that paper currency
serves as an ideal breeding ground for
microorganisms for several reasons. First, the
paper bills offer a large surface area for
organisms and organic debris to collect .
• Secondly, folds and/or deliberate depressions or
projections specifically engineered into the bills’
design as anti-counterfeiting methods serve as
settling sites for both organisms and debris, which
allow the microorganisms to live longer.

Paper Currency Serves As An Ideal
Breeding Ground For Microorganisms

through money
• Studies indicate that the age and
denomination of a bill have a direct
correlation with the contamination observed
(e.g., older bills had the most contamination
while newer bills had the least)

through money
• The money makes for easy transfer of
bacterial and thus cross contamination.
Physical transfer of material from hands,
surfaces, and the environment can contaminate
currency.
• Individuals from almost every socio-
economic background routinely hold and
transfer paper currency.

through money
• Any object that can spread communicable
diseases throughout a diverse population
should be considered a risk to public health.
Therefore, currency has an important role
in the transmission of pathogenic
microorganisms and presents a moderate
risk to public health.

through money
• Contamination of different objects by
potential pathogenic microorganisms is of
public health importance as contaminated
materials can be possible sources of
transmission of such pathogens.
• Bacteria have been shown to be spread from
person to person via contact with fomites.

Bacteria Have Been Shown To Be Spread
From Person To Person Via Contact

through money
• Currency is commonly and routinely passed
among individuals.
• Thus, bacteria could be spread on the surface
of paper currency.
• Investigator suggest that dirty currency could
host harmful micro-organisms which are also
deposited on currency counting machines and the
counting rooms’ environment thereby posing risk
to customers and bankers alike
• Money, therefore presents a particular risk to
public health, since communicable diseases
can spread through contact with fomites.

Harmful Micro-organisms Which Are Also
Deposited On Currency Counting Machines

through money
• Microbial contaminants may be transmitted
directly, through hand - to-hand contact, or
indirectly, via food or other inanimate objects.
As a result, hand hygiene is considered
critical for preventing food outbreaks and
healthcare -associated infection.

Microbial contaminants may be transmitted
directly, through hand - to-hand contact

Persistence of Pathogens on Surfaces
• Money on which pathogenic microorganisms might
survive represents an often overlooked reservoir for
enteric disease Quite a number of organisms bear the
potentials for survival on dry fomites like currency
notes.
• Studies conducted in ordinary paper showed differences in
length of survival depending on environmental room
conditions, but were stable on paper for up to 72 hours and
still cultivable after seven days.
• Some gram-negative bacteria can remain as long as
eleven days on coins and it was demonstrated that
influenza virus can survive on currency notes about 3 to
17 days

• Important factors for the survival of pathogenic agents on surfaces are
the presence of organic matter, solar irradiation, temperature and
humidity.
• A recent review reported that many Gram -positive bacteria, such as
• Enterococcus spp.,
• S. Aureus and
• Streptococcus pyogenes , and
• Gram -negative bacteria, such as
• Acinetobacter spp.,
• Escherichia coli ,
• Klebsiella spp.,
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,
• Serratia marcescens and
• Shigella spp, can survive for months on surfaces

Prevalence of Microorganisms
• Currency notes of lower denominations were the
most contaminated, presumably because lower
denomination notes pass through more hands in
their lifetime than the higher denomination notes.
• Other studies demonstrated that the age of the
currency note had a positive correlation with
microbial contamination. Increased contact
time is presumed to escalate contamination.

Research findings: Diseases spread
through money
• A research from the Health Commissioner of
New York on few currency notes found that
one currency note has 135,000 germs while
other have 126,000 germs.
• Bosch & Steyn research showed that 90% of
south-African bank notes circulated during
1997 were contaminated with either bacteria or
fungi

through money
• Research at the Regional Sophisticated
Instrumentation Center (RSIC), India, examined
Indian currency notes and found germs which can cause
Tuberculosis, Meningitis, tonsillitis, peptic ulcers,
throat infections, genital tract infections, etc. The
bacteria from currency notes infect the body through
scratches on the hands or when the hand touches the
mouth, eyes or nose
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), USA estimates that 36,000 Americans die each
year from flu-related causes. Among them, 10% of
people received the flu from paper currency.

through money

through money
• A research study on 5,000 banknotes in London in 2000
proved that 99% of the tested currency notes had traces
of cocaine on them.
• It was estimated that 200,000 hepatitis C cases record every
year in the UK among that at least 5000 hepatitis C cases
were caused because of currency notes.
• A research study on USA Currency notes by Forensic
Science International reported that 92% of the notes have
traces of cocaine which are the source of hepatitis C
• The below is the research findings from International
Journal of dental clinic on currency notes.

through money
• Researchers collected 25 currency notes of
denominations 5 notes each Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20,
Rs 50 and Rs 100, etc. from various sources
like daily vegetable markets, residential homes,
milk parlours, beggars, banks, pan shops,
petrol bunks, shoemakers etc.
• The study results found that 100% of these notes
were contaminated with various health hazard
microorganisms like Escherichia coli,
staphylococcus aureus, salmonella enteritidis and
Proteus, etc.

Why and how these kinds of
microorganisms appear on currency?
• Poor handling: Contamination from the anal region,
nasal secretions, sneezing & coughing are primary
sources of transfer of bacteria to currency notes during
handling.
• Application of saliva on fingers while counting
money etc.
• Bacteria transfers through open wounds or
scratches on the hands when currency note touches it.
• Currency notes are often kept warm by our body
heat and even absorb our body moisture, helping
bacteria to grow faster.

• Escherichia coli (E.coli) infection: Some harmful E.coli
bacteria cause bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea
vomiting, anaemia, urine infections and kidney failure.
• Staphylococcus Aureus: It is commonly found in the skin
and nose.
• This bacteria causes minor skin infections, such as
pimples, impetigo, boils (furuncles), scalded skin
syndrome, abscesses, etc. to life-threatening dreadful
diseases.
• These bacteria can cause severe illness if it enters into the
body. It can infect brain, lungs, bone marrow, vein and heart
values

Escherichia coli (E.coli) infection

Why and how these kinds of microorganisms
appear on currency?
• These bacteria can cause following diseases
Meningitis(infection appears on the
membrane lining of the brain)
• Osteomyelitis(disease to the bone marrow)
• Pneumonia (Lungs infection)
• Septic arthritis(infection of joints)
• Endocarditis(infection of the heart valves)
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

Why and how these kinds of microorganisms
appear on currency?
• Salmonella Enteritidis:
• It causes Salmonellosis. The symptoms of the
disease are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever,
vomiting, etc.
• Streptococcus: It causes some mild infections
like throat and skin infections
• Proteus: It causes urinary tract infections,
inflammation of kidney and an injury to living
tissue.

How to protect ourselves from
contaminated money?
• Washing hands frequently help us in preventing
these bacteria enter into our body.

Possible Prevention and Control
Measures
• Money can provide an indirect route for hand -
to-hand contamination, and hand washing is
critical after handling money if a clinical or
food preparation procedure is to be performed.
Many pathogenic or antibiotic -resistant
bacteria have been isolated from various
coins and paper money collected from
medical staff and food handlers .

Measures

Possible contamination of
banknotes with pathogens
• Moreover, the possibility that terrorists could
contaminate banknotes with pathogens and then
put those notes back into circulation has been
proposed.
• As a result, microbial testing of banknotes and
replacement of contaminated notes, and the regular
withdrawal of damaged notes by federal authorities is
recommended. hygienic measures such as thorough
hand washing with soap after using currency notes,
coins and ATM machine should be observed and the
practice of keeping money in shoes and socks and
under the carpets should be discouraged.

Measures
• Further, we should avoid the use of saliva
during counting of currency notes as well as
desist from placing money in the mouth
and biting off corners of currency notes.
Moreover, ready -to- eat food sellers should
be educated to avoid possible cross
contamination between currency notes and the
food they sell.

Avoid The Use Of Saliva During
Counting Of Currency Notes

Conclusion
• Contaminated money and coins are a public
health risk when associated with the
simultaneous handling of food, and currency
may spread nosocomial infections.
• The currency circulating in different parts of
the world could serve as a vehicle for
transmission of drug resistant pathogenic or
potential organisms and contamination could be
due to currency usage and handling as mint notes
were not contaminated.

Contaminated Money And Coins Are A
Public Health

Conclusion
• Cotton - based banknotes provide a fibrous
surface, which provides ample opportunity for
bacterial attachment, and the longer a paper bill
stays in circulation, the more opportunity there is
for it to become contaminated.
• The isolation of multidrug resistant bacteria
from currency notes confirms that currency
plays an important role in the transmission of
drug- resistant bacteria in the community.

Conclusion
• Therefore, hygienic measures such as thorough
hand washing with soap after using currency notes
and ATM machine should be observed and the
practice of keeping money in shoes and socks and
under the carpets should be discouraged.
• Further, we should avoid the use of saliva during
counting of currency notes as well as desist from
placing money in the mouth and biting off corners of
currency notes.
• Moreover, ready -to- eat food sellers should be
educated avoid possible cross contamination
between currency notes and the food they sell.

Hygienic Measures Such As Thorough Hand
Washing With Soap After Using Currency Notes

Banknotes, Coins And Fomites To Serve
As Sources Of Pathogenic Agents

Hygienic Measures Such As Thorough Hand
Washing With Soap After Using Currency
Notes

Case Study
• Dirty notes give bank staffers ‘cash allergy

Dirty notes give bank staffers ‘cash
allergy
• Kurnool: The demonetisation of currency has
led to a very different set of problems for
bankers – cash allergy.
• Many staffer, who have been counting huge
amounts of currency since the demonetisation
for the past one week, have been suffering
from allergies and breathing problems besides
rashes on their fingers.

allergy

allergy
• Though cash counting machines have been
used, prolonged exposure to dust from the
bundles is leading to these problems, said a
branch manager of a nationalised bank.
• A manager of Indian Bank told DC that she
had developed rashes. As the entire staff of
banks has been asked to start handling cash,
senior officials who have lost touch with
counting operations remain the worst affected.

allergy
• According to a study conducted by Mr P.K.
Elumalai, Mr E. David and Mr Hemachandran
on “bacterial contamination of Indian currency
notes”, it has been found that the circulation of
paper currency from one individual to another
spreads microorganisms.
• If these notes are contaminated by pathogenic
bacteria, the rate of infectious diseases will
continue to rise.

Dirty Notes Give Bank Staffers ‘Cash
Allergy

Case Study – Clean ATM
• TOKYO -- The latest technology from Japan:
money laundering.
• Newly installed bank automated teller machines
here sanitize and press bills before customers
withdraw funds. The "Clean ATMs," as they are
known, dispense yen notes that, while not quite as
crisp as newly minted ones, are nearly wrinkle-
free.
• Customers can even insert bills and get them back
laundered.

• The machines feed bills through a roller, heat
them to 392 degrees and supposedly kill 90
percent of certain staphylococcus bacteria
before disbursing them to customers.
• "Everybody is pleased to have clean bills rather
than old crushed ones -- especially in Japan,"
explained Hidehito Mori, spokesman for Sanwa
Bank, one of the first to install the ATMs. "We
didn't do any research, but it's common sense."

• In certain ways, Japan is obsessed with
cleanliness. Behind Tokyo's gray and cluttered
exterior are millions of people who are
fastidious about personal hygiene.
• Japanese are known for scrubbing their
bodies two or three times during their daily
hot bath ritual. Young women keep kits in
their office restrooms stocked with cosmetics,
lotions and toothbrushes.

Japan Is Obsessed With Cleanliness

• "Cleanliness is part of our culture and
tradition," said Chiaki Yamaguchi, a product
development specialist for Dentsu Inc.

• When it comes to money, there's a long tradition of
preferring the pristine. Visitors to a shrine in
Kamakura, a historic city south of Tokyo, cleanse
coins in a sacred spring.
• At Wako, the most elite department store in the capital's
tony Ginza fashion district, all bills given as change
are fresh from the central bank.
• Virgin money plays an especially key role at
weddings, where cash is the favored gift. No
respectable Japanese would give anything but untainted
bills.

Visitors to a shrine in Kamakura

• And that's where the Clean ATM comes into
play. A hurried executive may not have time to
get to the bank before it closes on a Friday night,
leaving him without crisp yen to present at his
employee's weekend wedding.
• "If you go to a ceremony, it is our culture to bring
money that is not bent," said Masahiro Takahashi,
spokesman for the Clean ATM's manufacturer,
Hitachi Ltd. "Sometimes we cannot prepare. If
you pass by the ATM, it will iron the money."

• Hitachi had hoped to sell 500 of the
machines in the first year, and in the first
five months already has orders for 250.
Most are from small regional banks that,
Takahashi suggested, want to present a "clean"
image.

• At its branch in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya
district, Sanwa, Japan's sixth-largest bank,
has installed one Clean ATM among a dozen
or so machines.
• Because of the limited availability so far,
Sanwa hasn't touted the machine to customers
in any marketing campaigns; the ATM is
identified only by a modest banner.

"When I was a young kid, my mom told me the dirtiest thing in the world is
money," "Mom is always right”.
Yuegang Zuo, professor of chemistry and biochemistry
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

References
Are Currency Notes Really Full of Germs?
• https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/germs-bacteria-ridden-currency-notes-dirty-
money.html
Beware! The rupee notes in your wallet are carrying disease-causing microbes, warns study
• https://scroll.in/article/738482/beware-the-rupee-notes-in-your-wallet-are-carrying-disease-
causing-microbes-warns-study
Government study says currency notes carry disease-causing micro-organisms
• http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/your-money-is-dirty-government-study-
says-currency-notes-carry-disease/
Hitachi's ATM that Sterilizes and Irons Bills
• https://funfactz.com/technology-facts/hitachi-sterilizing-atm/
Microbial contamination of Indian currency notes in circulation
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260872240_Microbial_contamination_of_Indian_
currency_notes_in_circulation
Scientists say that currency notes carry micro-organisms that spread diseases
• http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-scientists-say-that-currency-notes-carry-micro-
organisms-that-spread-diseases-2113982

Dirty Money: Diseases spread through money (Currency notes)

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Dirty Money: Diseases spread through money (Currency notes)