2023-04-29 04:04:40
What are the disadvantages of hand dryers?
Obviously, many people clearly prefer to use the hand dryer rather than the towels carelessly placed near the sink, which are often very damp and dirty (they pass from hand to hand!). It still looks very practical and even environmentally friendly. Except, in reality, it’s not nearly as healthy as you’d think. You might fall off, but using it feels like you haven’t washed your hands at all! And, it’s science that says it: American researchers have unveiled what is behind this drying device … and frankly, it makes us think twice. When you discover its dangers, you won’t go near it!
Until now, you thought (like everyone else!) that it dries your hands perfectly and keeps them clean. What if we told you it was quite the opposite, would you believe it? In reality, to better understand this theory, it is already necessary to understand the process itself of the machine: know in particular that the flow of hot air which is propelled from the device tends to absorb all kinds of pathogenic microbes which twirl in around. It’s even a real nest of bacteria! Later, once we approach our hands, these germs and bacteria are immediately released to end up on our skin. Yes, said like that, it sounds scary, yet very real. This is why it is better to invest heavily in paper towels!
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What do the scientists think?
Use the hand dryer – Source: spm
According to the New York Times, Nicole Ward, an American microbiologist, made a revelation to her followers on Facebook: following an experiment, carried out in a public bathroom, she discovered that the hand dryers were full of mold, fungi and other microbes. Supporting photos, his testimony quickly went viral. Far from being the only one, other American studies have also launched an alert concerning the massive use of public hand dryers. From a hygienic point of view, the results are rather worrying. Researchers confirm that these devices are invaded by invisible fungi which proliferate rapidly: There are different strains accompanied by pathogenic bacteria. Hence the dirt swirling around our hands! (…). These electric dryers that heat the air double bacteria on people’s hands during the drying process. And new high-powered air jet designs project germs up to two meters around the device explain the experts. We have cause for concern, indeed.
True, it is not known exactly which part of the mechanism attracts so many fungi and bacteria. On the other hand, we already know that the jet of expelled air is so strong that it projects germs on our hands. To remedy this problem, some suggest using filters, but nothing guarantees their effectiveness. No, the best, on your scale, is to use paper towels to dry your hands. This is the best option to limit the risk of contamination.
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How to properly dry your hands at home?
Dry your hands with a towel – Source: spm
A quick reminder: for a complete elimination of germs and microbes, you must carefully soap your palms, thumb, fingertips and the spaces between them, for at least 20 to 30 seconds, before rinsing them. No, a simple rinsing with running water is far from sufficient! Then, regarding drying, if you use a towel, make sure it is perfectly dry and clean. Otherwise, it cancels the whole hygiene process!
You might be wondering, how often are the towels cleaned? First of all, to avoid washing them too often, take care to hang them immediately after washing in a ventilated place to optimize drying. This is an essential factor, because humidity is a magnet for microbes. Do you often wince at a repulsive musty smell? This is direct evidence that this towel was not dried properly. Remember to replace used towels after a few days, as soon as they get dirty or smell bad, to prevent existing microorganisms from multiplying too much. Ideally, you should wash your cotton towels at a temperature of at least 40°C with a strong detergent in the form of powder, granules, liquid capsules or tablets containing bleach. A word of advice: tell yourself that merging various detergents and increasing the temperature will significantly reduce the amount of germs (bacteria, fungi, molds). And, of course, as we said above, respect the drying process to the letter. And try, as much as possible, to always dry your towels after showering or bathing. Laying them nonchalantly in a corner of the bathroom will not eliminate the humidity!
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