Kimberly-Clark Professional warns of the dangers of forced-air and electric hand dryers

Kimberly-Clark Professional is accelerating the delivery of hand hygiene information and expertise by creating a dedicated hand-drying site to provide tips on which hand towels to use and highlight the dangers of using forced-air and electric hand dryers (Jad).

The Covid-19 pandemic has raised consumer awareness about the importance of hand hygiene and the risks of spreading germs. Nearly 95 % of adults do not wash their hands long enough to thoroughly clean bacteria and viruses, so germs can remain on hands after washing⁽¹⁾. 

While the focus has been on regular and proper hand washing, Kimberly-Clark Professional would like to address the crucial issue of hand drying, which is just as important as hand washing: how do you dry your hands properly?

To better understand the importance of the subject and to allow as many people as possible to understand the truth about the dangers of using forced-air and electric hand dryers for hygiene, Kimberly-Clark Professional provides its expertise based on scientific studies:

"Scientific studies have proven that paper towels are the most hygienic option for hand drying, but there are concerns about the dangers presented by alternative drying methodsexplains Elise Gouveia, Sales Director France, Kimberly-Clark Professional. Forced air hand dryers can spread germs and bacteria if they are present on wet hands. In this time of unprecedented health crisis, it is essential to address all germ hot spots to provide a safer and more hygienic environment. Therefore, it is important that users are fully informed about the hygiene risks of forced-air hand dryers and can review the results of scientific studies before using or purchasing this type of hand dryer."

According to Kimberly-Clark Professional, the evidence is in, "research shows us some striking facts about forced-air hand dryers, the use of which could be akin to a sneeze that lasts 12 seconds, the time it takes for the hand-drying cycle of this type of device."

Kimberly-Clark Professional reminds us that:

• A forced-air hand dryer projects up to 2 meters⁽²⁾ water droplets in the air that may contain germs on the hands. These aerosolized bacteria can survive up to 15 minutes in the air. Forced-air hand dryers can increase the level of bacteria on the fingers by up to 42%⁽³⁾.
• A hand dryer spreads 1300 times more germs than a paper towel⁽⁴⁾. 
• Even with Hepa filters and careful cleaning and maintenance, forced-air hand dryers do not leave hands and washrooms as clean as paper towels, 
• After 15 minutes, 100 times more particles remain in the air when using forced-air hand dryers than when using single-use paper towels⁽⁵⁾.This finding is all the more alarming when you consider that these particles could be found at about the height of a small child's face⁽⁶⁾. Drying with paper towels, on the other hand, reduces to 77%⁽⁷⁾ bacteria on the fingers. 
• The interior surfaces of forced-air hand dryers can contain up to 48 times more bacteria than a toilet seat⁽⁸⁾. Results of a University of Westminster study found that forced-air and warm-air hand dryers can harbor bacteria on the interior surfaces. This could lead to cross-contamination if users reach inside and touch the surface of the unit or if bacteria are carried in the air stream and deposited on wet hands.⁽⁹⁾.

For hygienic hand drying, use single-use paper towels

Taking all these facts into account, the WHO recommendations for hand hygiene in health care advocate paper towels for hand drying.

Hand towels offer, according to Kimberly-Clark Professional, "the best solution for hand hygiene and general hygiene in the washroom."

A recent study found that 90 % of people using washrooms prefer paper towels when given a choice between single-use paper towels and forced-air hand dryers⁽¹¹⁾. This study showed that paper towels consistently outperformed all other drying techniques, especially in terms of bacteria left on the palms and fingertips⁽¹²⁾.

 "With the current emphasis on the importance of hand hygiene, we feel it is essential to share these facts based on scientific studies so that clients can make informed decisions."says Elise Gouveia. TConsider your hand hygiene throughout the day and the objects you touch - from car steering wheels to lift buttons. Ask yourself not only how often you wash and dry your hands, but also how you wash and dry your hands and for how long. The science is clear, and the official WHO guidelines are clear: dry your hands thoroughly with a single-use paper towel; use the towel to turn off the faucet; your hands are now clean.⁽¹³⁾"

_{(1) - Borchgrevink, C.P., Cha, J. and Kim, S., 2013. Hand washing practices in a college town environment. Journal of environmental health, 75(8), p.18.; Hand Washing Practices in a College Town Environment, Journal of Environmental Health; https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5116.pdf: Boyce JM, Pittet D, Centers for Disease Control Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. Recommendations of the healthcare infection control practices advisory committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA hand hygiene task force. Society for Healthcare epidemiology of America/Association for professionals in infection control/infectious diseases Society of America. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2002;51 (RR-16):1-48.}

_{(2/4/5) - P.T. Kimmitt & K.F. Redway, "Evaluation of the Potential for Virus Dispersal During Hand Drying: A comparison of Three Methods," Journal of Applied Macrobiology 120 (2016)}

_{(3) - Eurofins-Inlab study (2012)}

_{(6) - E.L. Best, K. Redway, "Comparison of Different Hand-Drying Methods: The Potential for Airborne Microbe Dispersal and Contamination," Journal of Hospital Infection 89 (2015)}

_{(7) - University of Westminster, "Changes in the number of different types of bacteria on the hands before and after drying using paper towel, continuous cloth roller towel, warm air dryer and jet air dryer" (2010)}

_{(8) - Eurofins-Inlab study (2012)}

_{(9) - University of Westminster, "Changes in the number of different types of bacteria on the hands before and after drying using paper towel, continuous cloth roller towel, warm air dryer and jet air dryer" (2010)}

_{(10) - Huang C, Ma W, Stack S, "The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence," Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2012; 87(8): 791-798. And World Health Organization 'Global Hand Washing Guidelines'} 

_{(11) - ETS Observational Study, ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam (May 2016)}

_{(12) - Snelling AM, Saville T, Stevens D, Beggs CB, "Comparative evaluation of the hygienic efficacy of an ultra-rapid hand dryer vs conventional warm air hand dryers," Journal of Applied Microbiology 2010; 110: 19-26}

_{(13) - World Health Organization, Global Hand Washing Guidelines}