Research suggests 'single-use towels offer the most hygienic option for hand drying'

The European Tissue Symposium (ETS) took an active role in the recent ISSA/Interclean 2016, providing a platform for experts to present the latest research demonstrating how single-use towels offer the most hygienic option for hand drying in public washrooms.

Leading microbiologists Keith Redway from the University of Westminster and Professor Mark Wilcox of the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals, presented their research findings during an in-depth session.

Keith Redway presented his latest, independent research into the potential for hand drying to spread viruses in the washroom. Having already examined the spread of bacteria and fungi, he and his colleagues were keen to explore the risk that different hand drying methods pose for the dispersal of viruses and the contamination of people and the washroom environment. They compared three different hand drying methods - jet air dryers, warm air dryers, and single use paper towels - and measured the virus spread over distance, height, and in the air.

“We found a huge difference between jet air dryers and warm air dryers,” explained Redway. “Jet air dryers have an air speed of 600km per hour and have greater potential to spread viruses higher and wider. Air dispersed from jet air dryers was also found to float in the air for longer and so increase the risk of transmission.”

Further, Professor Mark Wilcox presented the results of his own research and reminded the audience that the most important ways for micro-organisms to spread are via hands and in the air. “Our results show that jet air dryers spread 4.5 times as many organisms as warm air dryers and almost 30 times as many organisms as paper towels. In recent new experiments we found that, over a seven day period, a hospital washroom with paper towels showed lower levels of contamination and contamination with fewer bacteria than a similar washroom with jet air dryers.”

Redway concluded: “Our research suggests that wherever cross infection or hygiene is of paramount concern, the choice of hand-drying methods should be carefully considered.”

Roberto Berardi, ETS chairman, said: “ISSA/Interclean is a great place to meet ETS members and also provides the chance to dialogue with operators from around the world. It is remarkable that cleaning and hygiene operators from across the globe are familiar with ETS studies and very interested to be updated on the latest research. We make sure that we have clear materials like this new animation that distributors of paper products can use and share with their customers.”

The complete study of Keith Redway from the University of Westminster is available to download free via: www.europeantissue.com/hygiene/studies/hand-dryingsingleuse-towels/.

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