Banknotes cannot be disinfected by microwave oven
30/4/2003 16:33
Chinese banknotes, which are made of special paper, cannot be disinfected
in a microwave oven, nor should they be sprayed or soaked in disinfectant, says
a spokesman with the operational administration department of the People's Bank
of China, eastday.com reported today.
An elderly citizen from the
Chaoyang District of Beijing put more than 3,000 yuan (US$361) in banknotes into
a microwave oven to disinfect them. After several minutes, all the banknotes
turned black and he had to exchange the black notes at the bank
yesterday.
"Many people try to use microwave ovens to disinfect
banknotes, and some are left with nothing but ashes," the spokesman
said.
Items such as masks, towels and tableware should be cleaned with
water before being disinfected in a microwave oven to add water content that can
be absorbed by the oven.
The People's Bank of China released a circular
recently to raise the number of new banknote issues, improve the tidiness of
banknotes and ensure sanitary administration of cash withdrawals and
payments.
All the commercial banks in Beijing are disinfecting their
ATMs, outlets and cash transportation vehicles many times a day, and sterilizing
banknotes circulating from hospitals with ultraviolet radiation.
Beijingers should wear gloves when handling cash and pay with plastic
whenever possible, an expert suggested.
Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news
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