Paper Towels More Effective Than Air Dryers for Reducing Bacteria, Study Suggests

Katrin, a brand under Metsä Group specializing in hygiene products, has emphasized study findings suggesting that paper towels are a significantly more effective method for hand drying and reducing bacteria compared to air dryers.

A study from the University of Westminster indicated that hot air dryers increased bacteria on hands by 254%, and jet air dryers by 42%. In contrast, using paper towels reduced bacteria by 77%. The same research found that jet air dryers dispersed bacteria into the surrounding environment more widely than paper towels.

Furthermore, a study conducted by the University of Cambridge at Leeds General Infirmary observed that contamination levels in areas outside the washroom were, on average, ten times higher following hand drying with jet air dryers compared to paper towels. Katrin argues that paper towels clean hands mechanically through rubbing and are single-use, thereby minimizing the risk of infection transmission.

According to Katrin, the company's paper towel dispensers provide one sheet at a time, ensuring contact is only with the dispensed towel. This prevents potential contamination of towels for subsequent users. The company aims to educate the public on the hygiene benefits of paper towels, as the 2021 Katrin Toilet Report revealed that only 61% of public toilet users prefer paper towels.