A new study has found that Americans might be pooping up to $4 billion worth of gold a year.

An Arizona State University study on feces from 94 different wastewater treatment plants across the country found small quantities of 50 different precious metals, including gold, silver and platinum.

The U.S. Geological Survey is leading a study to see if it'll be possible to extract those metals, which would be good for the environment in two ways: It would reduce the need for mining and make our poop safer as a fertilizer.

More importantly, why is there gold in our poop?

No one's certain. However, the best theory is tiny amounts get into our system through things like hair products, detergents and cosmetics, and then our digestive system concentrates them together.

Sadly, one individual person only produces a very small amount.

So, please do not start prospecting in your toilet hoping to strike it rich. Or go ahead and do it. It's up to you.

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