P.-G. Fournier

Contamination by nickel, copper and zinc during the handling of euro coins.

The introduction of the euro has revived interest in the risk of nickel allergy due to the handling of coins. In the present work, the transfer of metallic contamination during the manipulation of coins is examined by means of leaching experiments and manipulation tests. It is shown that pre‐existing metallic species present on the surface of the coins are the major source of contamination during manipulation, and that friction inherent to everyday usage contributes predominantly to their transfer to the hands. The comparison of coins as to their relative risks of metal contamination should therefore rely on tests that simulate the friction inherent in everyday human handling. Carrying out such tests with the newly issued 1€ and 2€ pieces, we find, contrary to long‐term leaching measurements, that the euros release less nickel than previously circulated pure‐nickel coins, but that this decrease is less pronounced than might have been hoped for on the basis of their surface composition. When the coins are rubbed to a shiny polish before manipulation, contamination of the fingers is reduced by more than a factor of 10. A comparison of coins used in France indicates that the introduction of the common currency has led to a fourfold reduction in contamination by nickel, while causing a 45% increase in contamination by copper.

Contamination par le nickel et d'autres métaux lors de la manipulation des pièces de monnaie – comparaison entre francs français et euros

The introduction of the euro has revived the interest for potential nickel allergies. We show that the handling of a single used nickel coin releases an average of 0.45 μg of nickel, 0.26 μg of copper and 0.08 μg of zinc, whereas a euro coin composed of nickel alloys releases 0.25 μg of nickel, 1.3 μg of copper and 0.17 μg of zinc. These levels of contamination, favored by friction during handling, differ from those obtained on the basis of the EN 1811 test applicable to solubilisation in artificial sweat. The evaluation of allergy risks following the introduction of the euro may require the consideration of potential synergies between the metals mentioned above. To cite this article: P.-G. Fournier et al., C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 749–758.