Study says hand dryers can spread bacteria

Airborne germ counts were 27 times higher around jet air dryers in comparison with the air around paper towel dispensers


A study has found that high-powered jet-air and warm-air hand dryers can spread bacteria in public restrooms. Airborne germ counts were 27 times higher around jet air dryers in comparison with the air around paper towel dispensers, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.

The study shows that both jet and warm- air hand dryers spread bacteria into the air and onto users and those nearby.

To mimic hands that have been poorly washed, the researchers contaminated hands with a harmless type of bacteria not normally found in public bathrooms. 

Subsequent detection of the Lactobacillus in the air proved that it must have come from the hands during drying. 

Read the article.

 

 



December 4, 2014


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

Cooling Towers at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Test Positive for Legionella

Hospital among the positive tests at 10 cooling towers in South Bronx.


Prefabricated Wall Panels Accelerate UCF Lake Nona Medical Center Construction

Case study: StoPanel exterior wall systems helped Wal-Mark Contracting meet strict Florida wind-load requirements and complete 136 panels in just 11 days.


University of Rhode Island Adds Clinical Space

Space dedicated to training students in counseling-related programs doubles in size.


How Retail Design Principles Can Improve Healthcare Wayfinding

Healthcare facilities are adopting retail-inspired design strategies to make spaces easier to navigate and more comfortable for patients.


Flexible Design Strategies Help OhioHealth Maximize Clinical Space

Doing more with less was key to the renovated facility’s design.


 
 


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.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.