A new study indicates that using air hand dryers to dry your hands may spread germs more than paper towels. Previous studies have also found that air hand dryers can blow bacteria from bathroom air back onto your hands. Experts say that proper hand washing is still the most important action we can take to prevent transmitting Covid-19. During the pandemic, many businesses have turned to touch-free methods to cut down on opportunities for spreading germs.
For example, many restaurants now provide a QR code for viewing their menu on your smartphone in lieu of traditional paper menus. In addition, many business restrooms use hand dryers rather than paper towels. However, according to a new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the latter may not be as effective as we might think it is. High-speed air dryers may actually leave more contamination on your hands than paper towels do. In addition, they may spread germs onto your clothes, leading to more of them being transferred to other surfaces.
Dr. Paul S. Pottinger, a physician and director of the Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Clinic at the University of Washington Medical Center-Montlake, who was not involved in the new study, said the purpose of the new research was to attempt to understand whether different hand drying methods might affect the spread of germs in a hospital environment. According to Robert Smith, PhD, assistant professor in the department of biological sciences at Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, there were several problems with the study.
Best way to wash and dry our hands
Pottinger said that the important thing is to wash our hands carefully using soap and water for at least 30 seconds. “The way in which we choose to dry our hands is comparatively less important,” Pottinger said. “But, as the study suggests, there may be benefit in choosing paper towel over electric hand dryer. In either case, the most important thing is to ensure that we prevent our freshly cleaned hands from coming into contact with contaminated surfaces, including a paper towel dispenser or a hand dryer,” he explained.
