The Anti-Antiseptic Breeze

[Recusant]

I can't claim to be prescient, but years ago I stopped bothering with public toilet "hand dryers" that blow air to supposedly provide a better alternative to paper towels. They just annoy me--mostly a waste of time in my opinion. If paper towels aren't available, I tend to dry my hands on my clothing and hair (which admittedly isn't an ideal alternative). I also try to avoid directly touching the door with my hands on the way out. This article gives me one more reason to skip those blowers.

"Study Shows Hand Dryers Spray Poop on You" | Nerdist

For decades, hand dryers have been presented as an environmentally and hygienically friendly way to remove water and bacteria after washing hands with soap. But while it seems like a good idea in theory, hand dryers may actually increase the spread of bacteria on skin and clothing. Previous studies have come to similar conclusions, but the latest research may be enough to give even the most ardent hand dryer supporters reasons to avoid them.

Via Boing Boing, researchers at the University of Connecticut published a study which confirmed hand dryers draw in "potentially infectious microbes" and spread them when activated. Even the low-powered hand dryers used in the study were prone to gathering fecal material and bacteria from from the air and blasting them on unsuspecting users.

How does it happen? Even the cleanest public restrooms are rarely hygienic environments. But the biggest issue comes from flushing toilets without lids. The flushes often send fecal material in the air, which are subsequently sucked in and pushed out by the active hand dryers. It should be noted hand dryers with HEPA filters can cut down on the intake of harmful particles and other unwanted objects in the air. But it doesn't fully eliminate them.

Unfortunately, moist hands and skin are an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, especially if the users don't realize what's happening. Many public restrooms don't even offer paper towels as an alternative, leaving the hand dryers the only option. It's almost enough to make us start carrying our own towels around.

[hermes2015]

 

[Dave]

I still use the driers but always carry a little bottle of cleansing gel as well. It long ago occurred to me that the air those machines blew over my hands had to be laden with bugs. And I have seen some in sore need of gikter coeaning. Also, had everyone who used the door handle washed their hands? So after leaving "the convenience" I use the gel, especially if I am about to buy a lunchtime bagette.

(Then try not to get "obssesive cleaning disorder" because the gel bottle is now "dirty"!)

[xSilverPhinx]

Ugh!

[Icarus]

When you go to a restaurant or pub, in spite of your clean hands they will become contaminated before your food arrives.  The filthiest item at your table is the menu that the server hands to you. The next most dangerous items are the salt and pepper shaker or the condiment container. Yuuck!

But imagine what kind of microvermin might be on the chair where your ass is planted. 

[joeactor]

Well...

Isn't this a cheery thread!

I've avoided the hand dryers for a while. Idiots rinse their hands without soap, then use the dryer.

I also wait until the menu is gone, then use a bit of Purel.

Many humans are completely unconscious about where their hands go (horror stories a-plenty!)

[xSilverPhinx]

But imagine what kind of microvermin might be on the chair where your ass is planted.

No. Nope. Nuh uh.

[xSilverPhinx]

[Dave]

^
But, surely, without the vast majority of those, the gut flora, you would die!

[Recusant]

^
But, surely, without the vast majority of those, the gut flora, you would die!

One could take the position that hand blow driers in public toilets are a good thing--recurrent fecal microbiota transplant therapy, free of charge. 

[Dave]

^
But, surely, without the vast majority of those, the gut flora, you would die!

One could take the position that hand blow driers in public toilets are a good thing--recurrent fecal microbiota transplant therapy, free of charge. 

Yeah, but one person's happy-friendly gut flora is another's serious diarrhea - or worse!

[Bad Penny II]

When you go to a restaurant or pub, in spite of your clean hands they will become contaminated before your food arrives.  The filthiest item at your table is the menu that the server hands to you. The next most dangerous items are the salt and pepper shaker or the condiment container. Yuuck!

Yes this could be a problem, that's why I only go to fancy restaurants that provide cutlery.

But imagine what kind of microvermin might be on the chair where your ass is planted.

No don't, it's better if you don't.
OCD  will do you more harm.
If you must think:
Microvermin make me STRONG!

[xSilverPhinx]

^
But, surely, without the vast majority of those, the gut flora, you would die!

Yes, but I'd rather not think of them. 

We're freaking ecosystems.

[Dave]

As marines are taught, 40% of what you dump is perfectly reusable protein!

[xSilverPhinx]

As marines are taught, 40% of what you dump is perfectly reusable protein!