There was a peer-reviewed report published in the journal for Applied and Environmental Microbiology that studied the amount of bacteria that was blown from hand dryers in 36 public restrooms at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. The sample from the study concluded that as many as 60 colonies of bacteria were blown from a hand dryer in just 30-seconds. A number of those bacteria were linked to fecal and human bacteria, even bacteria known to cause serious infections.

Why YSK: So that you are informed for your own health, hygiene, and wellness and to prevent further spread of more harmful bacteria.

Citation & Sources: “Deposition of Bacteria and Bacterial Spores by Bathroom Hot-Air Hand Dryers” (April 2018), Applied and Environmental Microbiology

https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/AEM.00044-18

  • EnderWi99in@kbin.social
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    2 years ago

    Paid for by the paper towel industry which was in response to the hand dryer industry putting out it’s own paid study about how paper towels just spread fecal matter around your hands. It’s all shit no matter how you spread it.

  • CobblerScholar@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    You should also know that when they test for fecal matter they aren’t looking for actual pieces of poo they are looking for bacteria that are present in poo. You will find those bacteria just about everywhere

  • Hotdogman@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    … And a large portion of dust is dead skin cells. Also, during the springtime trees straight up bukake your face and lungs.

  • TigrisMorte@kbin.social
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    2 years ago

    If the blower is blowing fecal matter then it would also be settling all over the paper towels. Issue is placement not anything to do with the blowers.

    • over_clox@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      Almost every public restroom I’ve ever been in has the paper towels and toilet paper locked in a closed dispenser unit.

      • Nindelofocho@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        oh those are definitely not sealed or protected from the air in the bathroom anymoreso than a hand dryer is. Not to mention many paper product replacements are stored elsewhere in or at least near the same bathroom

    • eric@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      Luckily paper towels are stacked though, so I’ll just avoid wiping my hands with the folds.

    • Ubettawerk@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      2 years ago

      Bathrooms should just have a unisex hand washing station away from the toilets. May not work well for older buildings but new developments can implement that easier

      • Nindelofocho@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        i like this idea a lot and perhaps people would wash their hands more if the fact that walking past them and not doing so would broadcast the very fact they dont wash their hands

        • Ubettawerk@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          2 years ago

          There is a bar/arcade near me that has their sinks right outside both bathrooms in full view of all the patrons, and I think it would definitely encourage people to wash their hands since everyone can see you leave the restroom, especially considering it’s a place where people are touching everything

  • marcos@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    Well, it’s from your (and other people’s) hands, onto everywhere.

    Still, AFAIK it’s not clear if this is a problem.

  • Osirus@sh.itjust.works
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    2 years ago

    Only wash my hands and flush the toilet in public restrooms that have touch less sinks. If the toilet isn’t automatic, I use my foot. Use the paper towel you wash your hands with to open the door on the way out or your sleeve if you have long sleeves on, or your elbow if it’s a push door. I’d rather have my own dick on my hands than my own and everyone else’s.

  • I_Miss_Daniel@kbin.social
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    2 years ago

    I don’t care about that. What’s worse for me is that the Dyson ones are so damn loud. It’s a pain having to hold one arm over your head in the stall to cover both ears.

  • Kobrah@kbin.social
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    2 years ago

    Well I have to touch the door on the way out any way so it really doesn’t matter that much.

  • Nindelofocho@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    didnt the mythbusters do an episode about keeping your toothbrush in the bathroom where their control toothbrush which just existed in a little glass dome for the duration of the test still ended up having the same bacteria thats present in poop as well?