Cleaning & Hygiene
Expert consensus statement finds paper towels the most hygienic way to dry hands
Cleaning and facilities management sector should provide paper towels in washrooms to offer staff and clients optimal protection from infection say European scientists
eading European microbiologists and hospital hygienists have produced a scientific consensus statement upholding evidence that hand drying using paper towels is associated with lower numbers of microbes on the hands and in the washroom environment than using warm air dryers or high velocity air dryers. The consensus statement provides sound advice for those offering services to offices, manufacturing plants and all workplaces to provide clients with a washroom environment that upholds the highest standards of hygiene. The six experts, working in hospitals and universities in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK have signed an eight-point consensus – Hand drying: an important part of hand hygiene. It highlights the importance of hand drying, following thorough hand washing and notes that air drying blows water containing microbes off the hands which can contaminate others in the washroom environment. Signatories to the consensus examined a wide selection of scientific literature and also the studies sponsored by the European Tissue Symposium in particular those undertaken by Eurofins- Inlab in Germany and the University of Westminster in the UK. “From the results we have examined, it appears that there may be a greater risk of exposure to microbes associated with some types of hand driers. There was an increased level of microbial contamination on and beneath air driers, particularly jet air driers. These findings have implications for the prevention of spread of microbes and infections and could result in reduced illness and
L 32 cleaning & hygiene
time off sick and so ultimately provide economic benefit too,” said Marc Van Ranst, professor in virology and chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Leuven in Belgium, and one of the signatories to the consensus. “We urge that they be explored further by companies, cleaning and facilities’ managers and beyond.” (Video with Prof. Marc Van Ranst on the Consensus Statement available here:
http://youtu.be/hzuFJFNIU5Q) Hand hygiene is recognised as the most important standard measure to prevent cross contamination or transmission of nosocomial hospital acquired infections. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the use of paper towels in its poster on hand washing. The consensus statement will hopefully prompt further research and steer policy guidance in all workplace washrooms – particularly those where workers are involved in the preparation of food.
“Paper tissue absorbs water and microorganisms,” said Roberto Berardi, chairman of the European Tissue Symposium. “It is crucial that washrooms offer a method of hand drying that minimises the risk of re-contaminating the hands and blowing microbes onto yourself, others or surfaces around you,” concluded Roberto Berardi, chairman of the European Tissue Symposium. “This scientific consensus is an important step in supporting our efforts to promote paper towels as the most hygienic hand- drying solution.”
For more information:
www.europeantissue.com
Marc Van Ranst
Building & Facilities Management – December 2013
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