There is clear evidence that people across Europe have changed their hand hygiene habits since the Covid-19 pandemic: washing their hands more frequently throughout the day and choosing paper towels as the most hygienic way to dry hands when out and about.
Now, a new mask study provides scientific data to support these preferences. It seems that, as is often the case, the consumer knows best.
The research found that contamination of hand dryer users by splattering was 10 times higher when using jet air dryers than when using paper towels, and contamination of other washroom users was also significantly greater.
The findings have major implications for hygiene in public washrooms. Hand drying is an essential step in ensuring optimal hand hygiene, helping to remove microbes remaining on hands following poor handwashing and so reducing the spread of infection in the community.
The study was carried out by a team at the Leeds Institute of Medical Research of the University of Leeds, UK, and the Department of Microbiology of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. Participants dried their hands using either a jet air dryer or paper towels and wore face masks as a way of measuring the risk of inhaling viruses.
When using jet air dryers, 89 per cent of masks were contaminated by viruses – compared with 29 per cent of masks when using paper towels.
Facemask contamination with virus aerosols was higher in the first five minutes following hand drying for both methods.
In trials using jet air dryers, facemask contamination increased at 15 minutes post-hand drying, suggesting aerosolization of small particles that remain airborne for longer.
The study demonstrates that the method of hand drying has the potential to impact airborne spread of microbial pathogens – including respiratory viruses – potentially increasing risk of exposure and infection for other washroom users. Armed with this new research, restaurant and bar owners and procurement managers responsible for facilities in large sporting and shopping complexes, would be wise to review the hand drying equipment they offer and be sure to provide customers with the most hygienic option: paper towels.
