The new generation of ultra-fast hand dryers release even more bacteria into the air than the previous one, according to a study.
Really, electric hand dryers don’t get much publicity. At the exit of the toilets, many sulk them besides and frantically wriggle their hands in the air to dry them. Because in the opinion of many hygiene specialists, these machines, real propellants of microbes, are sanitary heresies.
The new generation of forced air hand dryers were supposed to correct this big defect. “Fast and hygienic”, can we read on the banners of a clearly very false advertisement, according to the results of a study published in the journal Journal of Hospital Infection. In fact, these technological jewels would be much worse hygienically than their ancestors, which diffuse hot air.
27 times more bacteria
For the purposes of the study, researchers at Leeds University ‘School of Medicine contaminated their hand with a harmless bacteria, lactobacillus, after using the toilet. Indeed, previous studies have shown that after a visit to public toilets, a person carries some 200 million bacteria on each hand and can contaminate an average of five surfaces or 14 objects. Then they rudely washed their hands – as can happen when you’re in a bit of a hurry. They then dried them with a hand dryer.
Aerial samples were collected and analyzed. Results, somewhat frightening: the air contained 27 times more bacteria than if the researchers had dried their hands with a paper towel, and five times more than with a hot-air hand dryer (old generation).
15 minutes after drying
Samples were taken right next to the hand dryer, and within two meters of it. On average, half of the germs lingered in the air for more than five minutes, and some were still detectable 15 minutes after drying hands.
“The next time you dry your hands in a public bathroom with an electric hand dryer, know that you are spreading your bacteria without knowing it,” insists Mark Wilcox, author of the study. And let other people’s germs splash you ”. The researchers therefore recommend using the good old method to dry your hands: the paper towel.
CO2 or microbes?
The Dyson brand immediately reacted to the study, questioning its methodology. “Using Dyson Airblade hand dryers is the fastest and most hygienic way to dry your hands. They produce 71% less C02 than paper towels, and can dry 18 pairs of hands for the price of a single towel, ”said a spokesperson. Carbon dioxide or other people’s microbes, the new dilemma of public toilets …
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