Hand dryers in public restrooms are apparently not as sanitary as you might think. A new study has warned that they may be spreading fecal bacteria.
The report, which has been published via the Applied and Environmental Microbiology Journal, surveyed 36 hand dryers found at the University of Connecticut. Researchers placed special plates under the hand dryers, which gathered some 18 to 60 bacteria colonies in a matter of minutes.
Though the scientists have yet to determine the types of bacteria on the gathered plate, they concluded that "many kinds of bacteria, including potential pathogens and spores, can be deposited on hands exposed to bathroom hand dryers," according to reports. "[The] spores could be dispersed throughout buildings and deposited on hands by hand dryers."
The study authors, however, categorically stated that none of the bacteria gathered were particularly harmful to humans but their findings highlighted how quickly bacteria can spread in such an environment. The researchers also indicated that the surveyed hand dryers did not come with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that are common in brands like Dyson. Regardless, these filters block some 75 percent of bathroom bacteria only.
Hand dryers became popular in the 1990s as a more environmentally friendly yet convenient alternative to paper towels in public restrooms. The machines supposedly help reduce litter and wastes especially since paper towels used in the bathroom cannot be recycled. In light of the latest findings, however, the University of Connecticut reportedly switched to paper towels.
This isn't the first study to question the effectiveness of hand dryers in public restrooms. In 2009, a study from the University of Westminister revealed that organism contamination is more evident with hand dryers than paper towel use. Another study in 2012 also pointed to the superiority of paper towels in thoroughly cleaning one's hand compared to hand dryers.
