The more powerful the forced air hand dryer, the more it would be a source of bacterial contamination, according to the results of a study published in the journal Journal of Applied Microbiology. In fact, the evacuation would propel 1,300 more bacteria into the air and therefore increase the risk ofinfections and diseases.
Limit the spread of bacteria in the environment
Researchers at the University of Westminster (Great Britain) conducted a study to establish the risk of spreading bacteria with three towel methods. The volunteers were put in contact with water rich in harmless bacteria. They then washed and dried their hands. The scientists analyzed the number of bacteria present in the air after drying hands with the towel, the classic electric hand dryer and the powerful forced air hand dryer.
The results of the study show that the virus spread 60 times more with a traditional hand dryer and up to 1,300 times more with the more powerful.
“The choice of hand drying device should be carefully considered in areas where the prevention of infections are primary concerns, in public places, schools and food industry zones ”, conclude the authors of the study.
This link has already been established by researchers at the University of Leeds (England) who observed that the number of bacteria floating in the air was indeed 27 times greater with the forced air hand dryer than with a paper towel.
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