Canada denies its plastic banknotes melt

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OTTAWA, July 12 (UPI) -- Allegations that Canada's new $50 and $100 polymer bank notes are melting together in high summer heat can't be correct, the Bank of Canada says.

As far back as January, various reports have alleged the high-tech notes with a transparent strip, holograms and other security features melt or shrivel in high heat, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Most recently, a credit union teller in Kelowna, British Columbia, told a local radio station Tuesday she and co-workers had seen damaged bills that had been left in sweltering cars.

However, Bank of Canada spokeswoman Julie Girard said that doesn't sound like results of the bank's own testing before the bills were circulated in November.

"The new polymer notes have been rigorously tested in very hot (above 212 degrees) and cold (below minus 40 degrees) temperatures to ensure their durability," Girard said. "We put the notes in boiling water for over an hour and the notes retained their shape, size and properties, and could still be used as a means of payment."

Apart from the enhanced security features, the bank said the polymer bills will last two and a half times longer than the old paper and fabric bills.