FILTHY LUCRE

Warning after scientists find cash riddled with superbugs

DIRTY cash is putting the nation’s health at risk as it is contaminated with killer bugs, a study has discovered.

MRSA and listeria have been detected on coins and notes, with 19 different bacteria types in total.

Scientists from the London Metropolitan University even found cash riddled with germs from human waste.

The study, for money.co.uk, was carried out to see how clean the new plastic £5 and £10 notes were in comparison to paper ones.

But it found all types of cash had dangerous superbugs MRSA and VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus). Hannah Maundrell, of money.co.uk, said: “We thought the new polymer notes would be cleaner, but were stunned to find even they were growing life-threatening bugs.

“These findings could reinforce the argument for moving towards a cashless society.”