HAND DRYERS CAN SPREAD BACTERIA IN PUBLIC TOILETS
Modern hand dryers are
much worse than paper towels when it comes to spreading germs, according to new
University of Leeds research.
Scientists from the
University of Leeds have found that high-powered 'jet-air' and warm air hand
dryers can spread bacteria in public toilets. Airborne germ counts were 27
times higher around jet air dryers in comparison with the air around paper
towel dispensers.
The study shows that
both jet and warm air hand dryers spread bacteria into the air and onto users
and those nearby.
The research team, led
by Professor Mark Wilcox of the School of Medicine, contaminated hands with a
harmless type of bacteria called Lactobacillus, which is not
normally found in public bathrooms. This was done to mimic hands that have been
poorly washed.
Subsequent detection
of the Lactobacillus in the air proved that it must have come
from the hands during drying. The experts collected air samples around the hand
dryers and also at distances of one and two metres away.
Air bacterial counts
close to jet air dryers were found to be 4.5 times higher than around warm air
dryers and 27 times higher compared with the air when using paper towels. Next
to the dryers, bacteria persisted in the air well beyond the 15 second
hand-drying time, with approximately half (48%) of the Lactobacilli collected
more than five minutes after drying ended. Lactobacilli were still detected in
the air 15 minutes after hand drying.
Professor Wilcox said:
"Next time you dry your hands in a public toilet using an electric hand
dryer, you may be spreading bacteria without knowing it. You may also be
splattered with 'bugs' from other people's hands.
"These findings
are important for understanding the ways in which bacteria spread, with the
potential to transmit illness and disease."
The research, funded
by the European Tissue Symposium, was published in theJournal of
Hospital Infection and presented at the Healthcare Infection Society
(HIS) International Conference in Lyon, France.
Comments
Post a Comment