NT$100 bills in markets more bacteria-ridden than toilet seats

CF collected twelve NT$100 bills from vendors, beverage shops, and food stalls in a traditional market in Taipei as part of the survey.

Nine of the twelve bills tested positive for Staphylococcal, more commonly known as MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Symptoms of a MRSA infection include abscesses, wound infections, pneumonia, respiratory infections, and blood in stool or urine. MRSA is most commonly spread from person to person by direct contact. Frequent hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of MRSA. MRSA survives more easily on paper bills than E. Coli, though both are the most common causes of food poisoning.

According to CF test results, the bacterial density on the surface of the NT$100 bills was between 100,000 and 1 million colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 square centimeters, or up to 780 times more than usually found on the surface of the average toilet seat cover.

The foundation has recommended that the government speed up the replacement of old bills to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria.

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