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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dreamer94, post: 280418, member: 6449&quot;]This subject has actually been studied.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Xu J. Moore JE. Millar BC. Ribosomal DNA (rDNA)&nbsp; identification of the culturable bacterial flora on monetary coinage from 17&nbsp; currencies.&nbsp; Journal of Environmental Health. 67(7):51-5, 2005&nbsp; Mar. </p><p><br /></p><p>Researchers cultured the coins from 17 countries.&nbsp; While they did find bacteria on the coins, most were non-pathogenic (non disease causing).&nbsp; The pathogenic ones they did find (mainly staph) are commonly present in the environment.&nbsp; Handling the money therefore would be a danger only to people with open wounds with caretakers who a) did not wash their hands and b) did not wear gloves.&nbsp; There&#039;s nothing on coins that would be a risk to healthy people. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>There is some evidence that copper and nickel are toxic to bacteria also, so, while I would also love to see silver coins come back, it wouldn&#039;t really make much of a difference. </p><p><br /></p><p>There are many surfaces that are as bad or worse than coins.&nbsp; Computer keyboards (especially in shared environments) are found to have more bacteria than toilet seats.&nbsp; People should wash their hands after handling money before eating, even if it&#039;s just normal handling, such as paying for their lunch at the cafeteria. </p><p><br /></p><p>And as far as hazardous hobbies go, there are many that are FAR more dangerous - motorcycle riding, hang-gliding, technical rock climbing.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>There are also many ways to protect yourself.&nbsp; You can wear rubber gloves when handling coins or just wash your hands afterwards. </p><p><br /></p><p>(I don&#039;t play one on television, but I am a medical doctor).[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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