The new polymer notes are three times cleaner than the old fivers, and harbour fewer germs than cotton, washi paper and cotton-linen notes in general, according to scientists at Harper Adams University.
Professor Frank Vriesekoop, who led the research, explains that plastic kills off bacteria quicker that other materials.
"We found that bacteria found on human hands are less capable of sticking to plastic banknotes compared to the old cotton-based UK pound notes; the linen-cotton mix based American dollar notes; and the washi paper based Japanese Yen notes," he says.
"In addition, bacteria found on human hands die-off faster when on plastic banknotes”.
There are more than 30 countries around the world now using the ‘cleaner’ polymer notes.
The team also tested coins and found, although coins do carry bacteria, ‘many coins are actually toxic to bacteria’, said Professor Vriesekoop.
The new polymer notes are three times cleaner than the old fivers, and harbour fewer germs than cotton, washi paper and cotton-linen notes in general, according to scientists at Harper Adams University.Professor Frank Vriesekoop, who led the research