Study finds that paper towel is the most hygienic of methods for drying hands
It is not new to say that hand washing is a very important aspect for microbiological control in any segment, and that its efficiency is due to a correct procedure.
However, little is said about the important role that drying plays in hand hygiene, as there is a greater probability of transmission of microorganisms from wet skin than from dry skin.
And this is not specified in manuals and warnings with the procedure for hand washing, which end in the application of antiseptic product. In Brazilian legislation for food companies, there are requirements for handwashing facilities in production areas, changing rooms and bathrooms, which clarify that sinks should preferably use non-recycled paper towels or another hygienic and hand-drying system. But what other safe system for drying hands would be ideal?
Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Rolls = 20 Regular Rolls
We emphasize that our legislation eliminates the hypothesis of using a cloth towel. According to research led by Professor Mark Wilcox of the Leeds Medical School, who compared the microbial reduction after hand drying as well as the hygiene of dryer surfaces, the environment and users, the three most used hand-drying: air-jet, hot-air dryers, and disposable paper towels, air jet and hot air dryers have greater potential for contamination! Air-jet dryers are excellent hand dryers due to the high air velocity; unfortunately, this means that water droplets with microorganisms will be dispersed over longer distances and some will remain suspended in the air for several minutes (possibly hours) and may spread the contamination to the environment, taking into account that this will depend on the initial contamination and how the hands were washed. For the study, the hands, with gloves, were lined with Lactobacillus strains, to simulate the microbial load. The hands were then poorly washed and then dried. The researchers measured the microbial counts in the air around the equipment and also at distances of 1 m and 2 m. Separate tests were also performed in which the hands were coated with paint to visualize the droplet dispersion in each method. Bacterial air counts near the airflow dryers (70.7 CFU) were 4.5 times greater than around the hot air dryer (15.7 CFU) and 27 times higher when compared to the use of paper (2.6 CFU).
The figure below illustrates this situation. Search And the visual test of paint stains showed that the air-jet dryer caused a greater dispersion of paint droplets. It was also found that, for the air dryer, the bacteria remained beyond the drying time of 15 seconds, 26% more than the other methods. It has been found that drying hands with paper towel reduces friction, the average number of bacteria in the fingers by up to 76% and the palms by up to 77%. In contrast, with the use of electric dryers, the counts of bacteria increased, in some cases, by up to 254%. Given these results, the study concludes that paper towels are the best solution, but this does not eliminate the need for good practices, such as waste management with paper and good cleaning efficiency of the dispenser , walls and even the choice of best dispenser. And for those who have doubts about what is more sustainable, another research gives equivalence to the two methods when using two paper towels.