Are hand dryers germ spreaders?

New study says they do more harm than good

A new study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology said high-speed jet air dryers are germ-spreading machines, according to an article on the Becker's Hospital Review website.

Wet hands increase the risk of transmitting bacteria, so drying is as important as washing for infection prevention.

According to the study, the jet air dryer spread 20 times more viruses than the warm air dryer and upwards of 190 times more than paper towels.

The virus dispersal's impact was greatest at 2.5 to 4.1 feet — about face level for small children.

Read the article.

March 11, 2016

Topic Area: Safety

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