What are the disadvantages of hand dryers?
Obviously, many people clearly prefer to use the hand dryer rather than towels carelessly placed near the sink, often very damp and dirty (they pass from hand to hand!). It still looks very practical and even eco-friendly. Except that in reality, it is nowhere near as healthy as you thought. You may fall from above, but using it is as if you have not washed your hands at all! And, it’s science that says it: American researchers have revealed what is behind this drying device… And frankly, it makes us think twice. When you discover the dangers, you will not get close to them!
Until now, you thought (like everyone else!) that it dries your hands perfectly and keeps them clean. And if you were told it was just the opposite, would you believe it? In fact, to better understand this theory, we must already understand the process itself of the machine: know in particular that the flow of hot air that is propelled from the device tends to absorb all kinds of pathogenic microbes that twirl in the vicinity. It’s even a real nest of bacteria! Later, once we approach our hands, these germs and bacteria are immediately released to end up on our skin. Yes, said like that, it sounds scary, but very real. That’s why it’s better to invest heavily in paper towels!
What do scientists think?
According to the New York Times, Nicole Ward, an American microbiologist, made a revelation to her followers on Facebook: following an experiment, carried out in a public bathroom, she discovered that hand dryers were full of mold, fungi and other microbes. Photos in support, his testimony quickly went viral. Far from being the only one, other American studies have also sounded the alarm about the massive use of public hand dryers. From a hygienic point of view, the results are rather worrying. The researchers confirm that these devices are invaded by invisible fungi that proliferate rapidly: “There are different strains accompanied by pathogenic bacteria. Hence the dirt that swirls around our hands! (…). These electric air dryers double the bacteria on people’s hands during the drying process. And new high-power air jet designs project germs up to two meters around the device,” the experts explain. We have cause for concern, indeed.
Admittedly, it is not known exactly which part of the mechanism attracts so many fungi and bacteria. On the other hand, we already know that the jet of air expelled is so strong that it projects germs on our hands. To remedy this problem, some suggest using filters, but there is no guarantee of their effectiveness. No, the best, at your scale, is to use paper towels to dry your hands. This is the best option to limit the risk of contamination.
How to dry your hands at home?
Reminder: for a complete elimination of germs and germs, you must carefully soap your palms, thumb, fingertips and the spaces between them, for at least 20 to 30 seconds, before rinsing them. No, a simple rinse with running water is far from enough! Then, regarding drying, if you use a towel, make sure that it is perfectly dry and clean. Otherwise, it cancels the whole hygiene process!
You may be wondering how often towels are cleaned? First of all, to avoid washing them too often, take care to hang them immediately after washing in a ventilated place to optimize drying. This is an essential factor, as moisture is a magnet for microbes. Do you often grimace at a repulsive musty smell? This is direct proof that this towel was not dried properly. Remember to replace used towels after a few days, as soon as they get dirty or do not smell good, to prevent existing microorganisms from multiplying too much. Ideally, you should wash your cotton towels at a temperature of at least 40°C with a strong detergent in the form of p.oudre, granules, liquid capsules or lozenges containing bleach. Tip: Remember that fusing various detergents and increasing the temperature will significantly reduce the amount of germs (bacteria, fungi, mold). And, of course, as mentioned above, follow the drying process to the letter. And try, as much as possible, to always dry your towels after showering or bathing. Placing them nonchalantly in a corner of the bathroom will not eliminate moisture!
