Air Dryers

• Air dryers are found in many public restrooms. They work by blowing warm air on your hands while rubbing them together to help facilitate the drying process. The length of time required to dry is based on the power level of the blower, with the average time required to dry taking between 20 and 47 seconds, according to the University of Westminster's European Tissue Symposium: A comparative study of three different hand drying methods: paper towel, warm air dryer, jet air dryer, published November 2008.
  
  Many establishments prefer air dryers because they reduce the amount of trash accumulated, they reduce the amount of time an employee would use to pick up towels that are thrown on the floors, and they save money by removing the need to purchase refills for dispensers.
  
  

Paper Towels

• Paper towels work by using absorbent paper to wipe water from hands. Many manufacturers either use wood remnants from other manufactured products or recycled paper to create new paper towels.
  
  A study by the University of Westminster in London in November 2008, has found that "on average, warm air dryers substantially increase the number of bacteria on the hands of users."
  
  

Spread of Disease

• When comparing air dryers to paper towels, the warm air dryer has been shown to increase all types of bacteria, since bacteria grows in warm, wet environments. This is further increased by the fact that most people do not dry their hands thoroughly when using air dryers. Because paper towels are quicker and more effective in removing dampness, they are better at reducing bacteria, according to the University of Westminster study.
  
  However, a new type of air dryer, called the jet air dryer, has been shown to be as effective as paper towels, according to the study by the University of Westminster. The Dyson Airblade, a jet air dryer, claims that it is "the only hand dryer that literally scrapes water from hands. It's the fastest hand dryer--and it's hygienic too, cleaning the air before blowing it onto hands," according to the Dyson website.
  
  

Environmental Impact

• Many environmentalists advocate the use of air dryers because they don't produce waste that adds to landfills. Paper towels involve cutting down trees, even if recycled materials are used.
  
  

Cost

• Determining cost effectiveness of air dryers vs. paper towels include a host of variables, including production, distribution, manpower and waste disposal. Treehugger.com quotes a study by the Environmental Resource Management in which all these considerations were taken into account and found that air dryers are more cost effective.
  
  

Conclusion

• If the concern is for the environment and saving money, then the air dryer is the best. If concern is for health, then paper towels are best; however, the jet air dryer is the best method for drying hands, because it reduces environmental impact, controls the spread of disease and reduces business costs in supplies and labor, after the initial purchase.
  
  According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), proper hand washing techniques are more important that the method for drying your hands.