Our Dollar Bills Are So Disgusting

From The Wall Street Journal, a report from New York University’s Dirty Money Project, which found thousands of different types of bacteria on our $1 bills — many of which causes acne:

By analyzing genetic material on $1 bills, the NYU researchers identified 3,000 types of bacteria in all — many times more than in previous studies that examined samples under a microscope. Even so, they could identify only about 20% of the non-human DNA they found because so many microorganisms haven’t yet been cataloged in genetic data banks.

Easily the most abundant species they found is one that causes acne. Others were linked to gastric ulcers, pneumonia, food poisoning and staph infections, the scientists said. Some carried genes responsible for antibiotic resistance.

I’m good about washing my hands (riding public transit on daily basis gets you in the habit), but will do it more after handling cash.

Or maybe I’ll just rely on my debit card whenever possible.

Photo: S. Mirk

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