https://www.money.co.uk/guides/revealed-the-life-threatening-bacteria-on-your-cash.htm
swabbed, which can cause urinary tract infections and septicaemia, along with bacteria that can cause thrush, nappy rash and diarrhoea.
Dr. Matewele said: “One of the most shocking discoveries was finding so many microorganisms thriving on metal, an element you wouldn’t normally expect to see germs surviving on. The bugs have adapted to their environment, resulting in coins becoming a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Dangerous bacteria found on UK cash
London Metropolitan University and financial comparison
websitemoney.co.uk have teamed up and put money under the microscope, and found life threatening bacteria.
Dr. Paul Matewele, Professor of Microbiology at London Met, and his students took 36 samples from a random selection of all denominations of coins and notes. The microbiologists studied the bacteria in a controlled lab environment over a period of eight weeks.
Unsurprisingly, the results of the study found that cash is a breeding ground for dirt and bacteria.
19 different bacteria were found across UK coins, polymer £5 and £10 notes, as well as paper £20 and £50 notes, including two life-threatening bacteria associated with antibiotic-resistant superbugs: Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecium (VRE). The life- threatening airborne bacteria, Listeria, was also found.
Bacteria found in faeces was also present on the cash
ScotRail sprays human waste across Scotland
Despite a deal between unions and ScotRail in December 2017, the practice of dumping human waste directly on to train tracks in Scotland is set to return.
Older trains are being used as an interim measure while ScotRail awaits the arrival of a new fleet of refurbished trains, but none of these models contain a controlled emission tank (CET) to protect track workers and the public from the effluent onslaught.
ScotRail has placed the blame on supplier Wabtec, who are reportedly behind schedule on refurbishments. At the time of writing, only one train fitted with a waste tank is running between Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Rail union RMT’s General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members are rightly appalled that ScotRail have sought to rip-up a clear agreement to end the filthy and disgusting practice of dumping human excrement on Scotland’s railways. This disgraceful and retrograde step must be halted now and the union will take whatever action required to hold ScotRail to their agreement with the union.”
20 | WHAT’S NEW?
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
“People who have compromised immune systems could be most at risk from handling dirty money – if you’re visiting people in hospital who might be vulnerable to infection, you could unknowingly transfer bacteria off your cash which is resistant to antibiotics.”
Hannah Maundrell, Editor in Chief of
money.co.uk, said: “We were really shocked when the results revealed two of the world's most dangerous bacteria were on the money we tested.
“We thought the new polymer notes would be cleaner but were stunned to find out even they were growing some life-threatening bugs. These findings could reinforce the argument for moving towards a cashless society and might be the nail in the coffin for our filthy coppers. I suspect people may think twice before choosing to pay with cash, knowing they could be handed back change laced with superbugs.
“We’d recommend and remind people to wash their hands thoroughly after handling money to help prevent spreading these harmful bacteria.”
For the full results, click here.
Rail bosses and ministers in the UK have promised that the practice of dumping waste directly onto tracks will come to an end in 2019, thanks to newer models and the retrofitting of older models. However, as is standard for the UK train system, no actual timetable is in place.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
