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US banknotes show cocaine traces | US banknotes show cocaine traces |
(1 day later) | |
The largest study of banknotes has found that 95% of dollar bills in Washington DC bear traces of the illegal drug cocaine. | The largest study of banknotes has found that 95% of dollar bills in Washington DC bear traces of the illegal drug cocaine. |
The figure for the US capital is up 20% over two years. | The figure for the US capital is up 20% over two years. |
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth tested notes from more than 30 cities worldwide. | Researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth tested notes from more than 30 cities worldwide. |
They say the rise observed in the US may be due to increased drug use caused by higher stress levels linked to the global economic downturn. | They say the rise observed in the US may be due to increased drug use caused by higher stress levels linked to the global economic downturn. |
Bank notes can pick up traces of cocaine directly from users snorting it through rolled up bills or when cash is stacked together. | Bank notes can pick up traces of cocaine directly from users snorting it through rolled up bills or when cash is stacked together. |
Stress factor? | Stress factor? |
Besides Washington, other big US cities such as Baltimore, Boston and Detroit had the highest average cocaine levels on their dollar bills. | Besides Washington, other big US cities such as Baltimore, Boston and Detroit had the highest average cocaine levels on their dollar bills. |
Dr Yuegang Zuo, who led the research, said: "To my surprise, we're finding more and more cocaine in banknotes. | Dr Yuegang Zuo, who led the research, said: "To my surprise, we're finding more and more cocaine in banknotes. |
"I'm not sure why we've seen this apparent increase, but it could be related to the economic downturn, with stressed people turning to cocaine." | "I'm not sure why we've seen this apparent increase, but it could be related to the economic downturn, with stressed people turning to cocaine." |
Other countries where notes were tested were Canada, Brazil, China and Japan. | Other countries where notes were tested were Canada, Brazil, China and Japan. |
China had the lowest rates, with only 12% of its bills contaminated. | China had the lowest rates, with only 12% of its bills contaminated. |
In the US the cleanest bills were collected from Salt Lake City, home of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, better known as the Mormons. |
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