Hand hygiene is essential in preventing the spread of disease-causing microorganisms. Drying hands after washing is an important step in the hand-hygiene process.

Automatic hand dryers have become a popular choice in many public restrooms due to convenience and resource efficiency. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for these dryers to spread bacterial contamination, thus undermining the very purpose of hand hygiene.

What are automatic hand dryers?

Automatic hand dryers are electric machines that blow warm air onto hands to dry them after washing. They work by using infrared sensors that detect the presence of hands and activate the air-blower.

These devices come in a range of designs and models, and vary in terms of their airspeed and noise levels.

How do hand dryers potentially spread bacterial contamination?

There are a few ways in which hand dryers can contribute to bacterial contamination:.

Aerosolization of bacteria

Hand dryers use high-speed air-blowers to dry hands. This can create aerosols or droplets that contain bacteria and other microorganisms. These droplets can travel up to 1.2 meters from the dryer and can remain airborne for several minutes.

People in the vicinity of the dryer can inhale these droplets or come into contact with them through their skin, potentially leading to infection.

Contamination of surfaces

Hand dryers can also blow bacteria onto nearby surfaces such as walls, floors, and countertops. This can occur when people use the dryers after washing their hands, and then touch other surfaces before washing their hands again.

The bacteria on the surfaces can then be transferred to other people’s hands and lead to infection.

What is the evidence for the spread of bacterial contamination?

There is growing evidence to suggest that hand dryers can play a role in spreading bacterial contamination.

A study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found that hand dryers can spread bacteria up to 0.25 meters from the dryer, and that the levels of bacteria were significantly higher than those found in the air without hand dryers. Another study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that hand dryers can increase the total number of bacteria on hands by up to 254%.

What are the alternatives to hand dryers?

There are several alternatives to hand dryers that may reduce the risk of bacterial contamination:.

Paper towels

Paper towels are a tried-and-tested method of drying hands after washing. They are disposable and do not require electricity, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination.

However, they do have an environmental impact and can be more costly in the long run.

Cloth towels

Cloth towels are a sustainable alternative to paper towels. They can be washed and reused, reducing the environmental impact. However, they require regular washing and may not be practical in high-traffic public restrooms.

Conclusion

Automatic hand dryers have become a popular choice in many public restrooms due to their resource efficiency and convenience. However, concerns have been raised about their potential to spread bacterial contamination.

There is growing evidence to suggest that hand dryers can contribute to the spread of bacteria through the aerosolization of microorganisms and the contamination of surfaces. Alternatives such as paper towels and cloth towels may reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.