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

Recent Posts

Probiotic Cleaning: A Complementary Strategy for Safer Hospital Floors

Managers seeking more resilient approaches to environmental hygiene are turning to probiotic systems to supplement traditional disinfection.

VITAS Healthcare Breaks Ground on New Inpatient Hospice Center in Florida

The 14,000-square-foot VITAS inpatient hospice center will open in 2027 and serve 500+ patients annually.

Mile Bluff Medical Center Disrupted by Data Security Event

While some services experienced limited and temporary interruptions, the impact has been narrow in scope.

The Proper Way to Use Cleaning Carts

Environmental services use cleaning carts every day, but they are often overlooked. Keeping them clean and properly stocked is key to preventing infection in healthcare facilities.

JPS Health Network Breaks Ground on New Hospital

The project includes construction of a new inpatient hospital and expansion of the existing Pavilion.

FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Job Board ‐ Available Jobs

Building Engineer - Bluffton, SC »