Are Public Hand Dryers Spreading Germs? Experts Say Paper Towels Are Safer
Are Public Hand Dryers Spreading Germs? Experts Say Paper Towels Are Safer
Studies show air dryers can blast bacteria back onto clean hands, while paper towels remain the most hygienic option
Public restrooms often present a choice between “eco-friendly” air dryers and paper towels, but growing evidence suggests the greener option may carry hidden health risks. Biologists and health experts warn that high-speed jet dryers can redistribute bacteria and pathogens into the air, contaminating both freshly washed hands and surrounding restroom surfaces.
Laura Gonzalez, a biologist who shares science-backed hygiene advice online, recently cautioned that powerful dryers pull in contaminated air from toilet flush aerosols and blow it back out. Her warning aligns with several peer-reviewed studies, including research from the University of Connecticut and Quinnipiac University, where petri dishes exposed to running dryers grew up to 254 bacterial colonies compared to almost none when dryers were switched off.
The majority of these microbes originate from airborne toilet aerosols. High-speed jet dryers amplify the problem, dispersing particles onto hands, clothes, and nearby surfaces. A 2018 study by the American Society for Microbiology confirmed that hot-air dryers emit contaminated airflows carrying spores and pathogens. Even dryers fitted with HEPA filters were found to release bacteria, as noted in research published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
In contrast, multiple studies, including those published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, confirm that paper towels physically remove bacteria rather than spreading them. They also offer practical hygiene advantages, such as being used to turn off taps or open restroom doors, minimizing contact with contaminated surfaces.
Health authorities like the World Health Organization recommend paper towels as the most hygienic method of drying hands, particularly in high-traffic environments such as hospitals, schools, and airports. Paper towels not only absorb moisture effectively but also reduce microbial transfer and limit environmental contamination.
While hand dryers may save paper waste, experts stress that their hygiene risks cannot be ignored. The consensus from scientists and public health officials is clear: when it comes to preventing the spread of disease, paper towels are safer than air dryers.
