Looks Harmless? Wait Until You See What Picking Up This Folded Dollar Bill Could Lead To!

There was a time when spotting a dollar bill on the ground felt like a small, unexpected win. But today, that sight may not be as lucky as it seems. According to multiple reports, picking up stray cash could lead to exposure to dangerous drugs, and some police departments are now warning the public to avoid touching it.

Recently, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas took to Facebook to share a concerning message with their community: “In recent years, there have been numerous reports of people discovering folded one dollar bills that contain illegal and potentially dangerous drugs. While using folded money or paper to transport drugs has long been a common practice, the emergence of substances like Fentanyl has made it exceptionally hazardous.”

In a particular incident, a citizen found a folded dollar bill in their yard and, upon unfolding it, noticed a white powder spilling out. The sheriff’s office tested the powder and confirmed it was methamphetamine, although tests for fentanyl came back negative. Their message to the public emphasized one thing: “It is important to remain vigilant about potential hazards in your surroundings.”

This unsettling event in Kansas isn’t unique. Several police departments across the U.S. have shared similar stories, pointing to a pattern where folded dollar bills are found containing drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has also issued warnings. Back in 2016, the agency highlighted the potential dangers of touching or accidentally inhaling substances like fentanyl: “Fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin or accidental inhalation of airborne powder can also occur. Just touching fentanyl or accidentally inhaling the substance during enforcement activity or field testing the substance can result in absorption through the skin. The onset of adverse health effects, such as disorientation, coughing, sedation, respiratory distress or cardiac arrest is very rapid and profound, usually occurring within minutes of exposure.”

This powerful warning from the DEA paints a scary picture, but how much risk is actually involved? Some toxicology experts say the risk may not be as high as these warnings suggest. In fact, in 2019, the American College of Medical Toxicology and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology examined the risk and concluded it’s relatively low. According to them, for fentanyl to cause harm, one would need to be exposed to a significant concentration over a long period. One study indicated it would take around 200 minutes of exposure to high levels of airborne fentanyl to have a noticeable effect, and even then, it wouldn’t likely be deadly.

So, should you worry about a folded dollar bill lying on the sidewalk? While experts may say the risk is low, law enforcement officials maintain that there’s still a possibility—however small—that stray cash could contain dangerous substances. It’s a classic “better safe than sorry” situation. Handling anything suspiciously out of place, especially cash folded on the ground, is something to think twice about.

As the Lane County Sheriff’s Office puts it, “It is important to remain vigilant about potential hazards in your surroundings.” And though scientific studies may indicate that the likelihood of harm from brief fentanyl exposure is low, the uncertainty around these findings keeps authorities on alert.

If you see money on the ground, remember, there’s a chance it may not be a simple stroke of luck. In today’s world, a cautious approach can often be the safest one. Whether it’s a dollar bill or anything else unusual, consider leaving it where it lies, because it might not be worth the risk.