An air of approval

Hospital Development, Jun 1999

A supplier of warm air hand dryers defends the concept against renewed attacks on its hygiene performance.

Importer of warm air hand dryers Warner Howard has issued the following statement by Terry Locke, director of sales for the company's Hygiene Division, following the re-release of a report by Westminster University: "The 'Westminster' report, which has labelled warm air hand dryers as unhygienic was first issued five years ago. It has recently been reissued without additional research. This flies in the face of many independent pieces of research conducted around the globe, which conclude that warm air hand dryers are totally safe.

Recognising its responsibilities to its customers, Warner Howard has commissioned its own independent report from the Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association. This report, employing methodology approved by the Royal Institute of Public Health & Hygiene, concludes that warm air hand dryers are every bit as hygienic as paper.

"We fully accept that there are some inefficient hand dryers on the market, but good quality hand dryers will dry hands quickly, safely and effectively. Paper towels, warm air hand dryers and linen all have their advantages and imperfections. None is perfect and none can overcome the defects of poor hand washing. "Our view is that it would benefit all concerned if the hygiene industry - paper manufacturers, linen suppliers and ourselves, were to join together to improve fundamental hygiene standards, encouraging the general public to wash their hands after every visit to the washroom. Furthermore. we believe our energy would be better expended persuading those responsible for washrooms to supply hot and cold running water, soap and an adequate means of drying hands, be it warm air dryers, paper towels or linen. In this way, not only would we improve hygiene standards throughout the country, but we would all sell more products."

SAFETY OF WARM AIR HAND DRYERS

Despite the recent re-release of the report by the University of Westminster, which condemns hygiene aspects of warm air hand dryers, there are many studies from professional bodies worldwide that support the use of warm air hand dryers.

The `Westminster report' failed to mention two major factors: firstly that no account was taken of airborne bacteria in the washroom, and secondly that although it is claimed that temperature in the air outlet is only 50C and insufficient to kill germs, no mention was made of the fact that the air had already passed over the heating element at 90C which, of course, is hot enough to kill bacteria.

It is significant that reports of studies carried out by nonmedical microbiologists conclude that warm air hand dryers are potentially dangerous, whilst those of consultant medical microbiologists conclude they are safe. Indeed one independent medical microbiologist has said that "the mere finding of relatively small numbers of common human microbes on the hands cannot support the conclusions drawn from the Westminster research group reported by interest groups or mass media."

Warner Howard commissioned its own independent research from the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association. Its methodology was fully approved by the Royal Institute of Public Health & Hygiene. The results clearly show that warm air is as hygienic as paper.

The Westminster report questions drying times. Even inefficient hand dryers are no less effective than recycled paper. Paper towels, warm air hand dryers and linen - each has its advantages and disadvantages. Warm air hand dryers are designed to be easy to maintain and keep clean, and are a cost-effective method of drying hands.

Commenting on the Campden & Chorleywood report, Terry Locke adds: "`Reports dating back over 40 years have proved warm air hand dryers to be safe."