This study investigates the potential contamination of cash register employees in the Slovak Republic with 148 selected pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and their metabolites. Of these, 42 substances were detected, and it was found that the target group—cashiers—regularly handle large volumes of banknotes, increasing their exposure to contaminants compared to the general population. This study revealed that commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medications significantly contribute to the contamination of cash registers. This study found that cashiers exhibited notably higher detection rates of antibiotics, including penicillin-V (2×), azithromycin (23×), and erythromycin (up to 64×), than the general population. Additionally, there was an alarming increase in illegal substances, with methamphetamine levels rising fivefold and cocaine up to fifteenfold. This study highlights a broader environmental concern, suggesting that routine handling of contaminated banknotes may lead to the transfer of micropollutants. Furthermore, personal hygiene practices, particularly handwashing, could play a role in introducing pharmaceuticals and narcotics into wastewater, potentially contributing several milligrams of contaminants daily.

Current Research Information Systems (CRIS) play a pivotal role in the management, storage, and dissemination of research data, serving as key components within both national and international research infrastructures. Scientific and academic libraries, with their established expertise in resource description, access facilitation, and the long-term stewardship of digital assets, are instrumental in the implementation and operation of CRIS systems. This article examines the integration of the FAIR principles—Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability—within CRIS systems, emphasizing their contribution to supporting Open Science. Through case studies from both Slovakia and Germany, we investigate the implementation of FAIR principles in the national SK CRIS and the German CRIS systems. The article also addresses the critical importance of data source integration, the adoption of Persistent Identifiers (PIDs), and the implementation of robust data management practices as essential elements for advancing Open Science and ensuring the effective application of FAIR principles at the national level. This analysis underscores the crucial role of libraries and CRIS systems in enhancing the accessibility and interoperability of research data, fostering international collaboration, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of scientific outputs.