A new paper published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology has confirmed that using a hand dryer like Dyson Airblade hand-dryer spreads germs 1,300 times more than standard paper towels.
Dyson Airblade is a model of electric hand dryer made by the United Kingdom based company, Dyson. The device was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2006, and in the United States in late 2007.
The manufacturer claims that it is capable of drying hands in 10 seconds, and uses less electricity than conventional hand dryers. The Airblade was invented by the British industrial designer, James Dyson. According to the Forbes Magazine, currently, Dyson has a net worth of $5 billion. He is ranked 380th richest person in the world.
This new study has revealed the dark side of Dyson’s invention. The researchers also wrote that Dyson hand dryers spread 60 times more germs than standard air dryers.
Researchers from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom carried out the study. But, this is not even the first time hand dryers like Dyson Airblade have come under public scrutiny.
In 2014, a similar study by researchers from the University of Leeds, found that airborne germ counts were 27 times higher around jet air dryers, in comparison with the air around paper towel dispensers. The study said that both jet and warm air hand dryers spread bacteria into the air, and onto users and those nearby. That study was funded by the European Tissue Symposium.
A spokesman for Dyson seized the opportunity to lash out at the studies, due to the funding body involved in the research. He said then “This research was commissioned by the paper towel industry and it’s flawed. They have tested glove covered hands, which have been contaminated with unrealistically high levels of bacteria, and not washed.”
To further protect its business interests, in February this year, Dyson released a YouTube video titled “Paper’s Dirty Secret” to debunk claims that paper towels are more hygienic than its hand-driers.
In this current study, the researcher said they dipped their hands into water containing a harmless virus. They then dried their hands with either a Dyson Airblade, a standard hot-air dryer, or a paper towel.
The findings showed that the Dyson drier’s 430mph blasts of air are capable of spreading viruses up to 3 meters across a bathroom. The standard drier spread viruses 75cm, and the hand towels 25cm. None of Dyson’s competitors on the market funded this current study.
The researchers then cautioned the public to be aware of the situation, since people can spread bacteria without knowing it.
Dyson is yet to respond to this new study, but many commentators believe the company will react to the study, and will find ways to discredit the paper in order to continue protecting its profit base on the market.
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so if you hands were dirty when you use this it could be very bad. Good thing I only use them after I wash my hands……
One might argue that although the jet hand dryers may spread germs further, the concentration of said germs would be lower as they are spread over a greater area. With the jet hand dryers you won’t need to be stood near the source to come into contact with the germs, but with the smaller amount that you would come into contact with, they’d have a lesser effect. With paper towels and warm air hand dryers the same amount of germs are in a smaller area.
Also, if these are airborn germs then they will naturally spread throughout the room through diffusion so it wouldn’t matter which is used anyway.
I’m also ignoring the University of Leeds’ study as its funding could mean that the published results are lies to support the agenda of its financiers.