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Hand dryers spread bacteria

05.05.2016

Everyone knows that regular hand washing is essential to protect yourself from a host of bacteria and viruses. And scientists from the University of Westminster (UK) decided to check how important it is to dry them properly after that.

Researchers have found that modern jet hand dryers are actually no better than "old-fashioned" hand dryers or paper napkins. The fact is that these devices, capable of quickly drying hands, at the same time carry bacteria with an air stream at a speed of 690 km / h at a distance of up to three meters. Studies have shown that jet dryers spread about 20 times more viruses than slower older models blowing warm air. And compared to paper towels, jet dryers spread 1300 times more viruses and bacteria!

During the experiment, scientists tested 3 methods of drying hands: paper towels, conventional hand dryers, and faster jet dryers. It turned out that jet dryers can spread viruses with a powerful stream of air at a distance of up to three meters, conventional warm air dryers - only 75 centimeters, and hand wipes - only 25 centimeters. However, experts from Dyson, which produces the Airblade jet dryer, disagreed with the test results.

First of all, they did not like the experimental methodology, according to which the British "soiled" their hands in a solution with viruses, and then dried them using one of three methods. Dyson believes the study was lobbied by paper towel manufacturers and conducted in artificial environments with unnaturally high levels of viral contamination, and people routinely wash their hands with soap and water before using the dryer.

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