Mom always said, “Money is dirty.” But an article in the September 15, 2008 Chemical & Engineering News shows there is even more - much more - than dirt and germs on your bills.

“Researchers found that euro bills in Spain on average contain 155ug of cocaine, with a maximum of 889 ug. Previous studies on the US dollar yielded averages ranging from 2.86 to 28.75ug but the most highly contaminated bill in the US studies had about 1.33 mg of cocaine.”

A similar study was performed in Ireland where 100% of the Euros examined had cocaine residue.  Interestingly, the 20s and 50s showed more contamination than notes in 5 and 10 denominations. Makes me wonder, how much cocaine is in a pound?

Some have found money addictive but don’t worry about getting loaded from handling your dough. “Only people who handle many bills on a daily basis” says the C&E News article, ”need worry about the effects of cocaine contamination.” 

Your illegal legal tender isn’t in need of money laundering - but your hands are…. “Yes, mom.”