/oss/taxonomy/term/2408/all en /oss/article/did-you-know-health/paper-towels-or-hand-air-dryers <p>Many people believe that hand air dryers are more hygienic than paper towels because fewer people touch air dryers compared with paper towel dispensers.  But studies show that in terms of hygiene, paper towels are the way to go. One study recruited sixteen volunteers who had their hands sprayed with a harmless strain of E. coli bacteria. After washing and drying their hands with either paper towels or warm air dryers, the volunteers’ hands were swabbed again.  Perhaps surprisingly, hand dryers only removed 23% of the bacteria while paper towels eliminated 71%.</p> Mon, 22 May 2017 15:48:29 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2472 at /oss