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Journalism of Courage
Never use hand dryers in public, office, or hotel bathrooms! You might not know this, but the hand dryers in public restrooms suck in air from the same bathroom, from underneath the blower and from the sides. That air is loaded with unhealthy particles, fecal matter, and germs. Disgusting, right?
Dr. Swati Rajagopal, Consultant – Infectious Disease & Travel Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore agreed, stating that using hand dryers in public washrooms can increase your chances of getting sick. She agreed that hand dryers work by blowing out warm or jet air to dry your hands, and when they do this, they also spread germs and bacteria from the washroom into the air.
“Washrooms often have many germs because of flushing toilets and many people using the space. When a hand dryer blows air, it can push these germs onto your clean hands and around the washroom,” she explained.
Dr Nidhin Mohan, Consultant — Internal Medicine, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru concurred, adding that the main risk is activated by touching the surface of the machine, so your goal must be to avoid taking your hand too close to it and/or accidentally touching it. The air inside the washroom is generally contaminated by bacteria such as E.coli and flushing blows them out of the water into the air.
Quoting studies that have shown that jet air dryers can spread germs more widely than regular warm air dryers, Dr Rajagopal said that you might end up touching your face or food later with germs on your hands, which can lead to illnesses like colds, flu, or stomach infections.
In a lot of cases, the warm air is not enough to kill the bacteria completely. So experts are of the opinion that resorting to traditional techniques can be the safest option to avoid contamination. Carry paper towels from home and make sure you wash them after use to reduce the risk of carrying and spreading bacteria everywhere.
“One of the best options is to use paper towels. Paper towels not only dry your hands quickly but also help remove some germs while wiping,” said Dr Rajagopal, adding that if paper towels are not available, you can carry your own clean handkerchief or small towel. “Some people also keep tissues in their bag or pocket for this purpose. If nothing else is available, letting your hands air dry naturally is better than using a dryer that spreads germs,” she mentioned.
According to her, the most important step for safety is washing your hands properly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. “Clean hands reduce the risk of infection, and when combined with safe drying methods, they help you stay healthier,” she added.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
