Dry Safe, Not Dirty.

Why It Matters

  • Airborne spread: Dryers project particles at face‑level height, increasing exposure risk for children and adults.

  • Hands stay contaminated: Jet dryers blow microbes back onto freshly washed hands, undoing hygiene.

  • Toilet plumes amplified: Toilets aerosolize pathogens into the air — dryers recirculate and amplify them.

  • Paper towels are safer: They physically remove bacteria through friction and don’t aerosolize pathogens.

Hygiene Comparison

Factor Electric Hand Dryers Paper Towels
Pathogen spread Jet dryers disperse 60× more viruses than warm air dryers and 1,300× more than paper towels Physically remove bacteria; no aerosolization
Air contamination Draw in restroom air (including toilet plume aerosols) and blast it onto hands; petri dishes grew 254 colonies in 30 seconds No air recirculation; no added airborne contamination
Surface contamination Propel particles onto hands, clothes, and nearby surfaces Limited to disposed towels; surfaces remain cleaner
Residual bacteria Users had more viruses on hands and aprons after jet dryers Hands showed significantly fewer pathogens
Aerosolization risk Released 140–1000 CFU per drying activity, dispersing microorganisms into surrounding air No aerosolization; safer for confined spaces
Best practice Not recommended in healthcare or food prep settings Recommended as the most hygienic method

What the Studies Show

  • Cleveland Clinic (2023): Jet dryers spread — rather than remove — germs. Users had more viruses on hands and aprons compared to paper towels.

  • Harvard Health (2018): Petri dishes exposed to dryers grew 254 bacterial colonies in 30 seconds; dryers pulled in contaminated restroom air.

  • Times of India (2025): Jet dryers propel contaminated particles onto hands, clothes, and surfaces. Even HEPA‑filtered dryers still release bacteria.

  • Aerosol Science & Technology (2025): Chamber tests showed Dyson Airblade released 528–1000 CFU per use; Excel Xlerator ~140 CFU. Both contaminated surrounding air and surfaces.

Call to Action

Sign the Public Restroom Renewal Act Today! Public restrooms must protect us — not infect us.