Assessment of the Bacterial Contamination of Hand Air Dryer in Washrooms

Overview

Journal Saudi J Biol Sci

Specialty Biology

Date 2016 Mar 17

PMID 26981009

Citations 12

Authors

Sulaiman Ali Alharbi

Saleh Hussein Salmen

Arunachalam Chinnathambi

Naiyf S Alharbi

M E Zayed

Bassam O Al-Johny

Milton Wainwright

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The present study was carried out, using standard techniques, to identify and count the bacterial contamination of hand air dryers, used in washrooms. Bacteria were isolated from the air flow, outlet nozzle of warm air dryers in fifteen air dryers used in these washrooms. Bacteria were found to be relatively numerous in the air flows. Bacterially contaminated air was found to be emitted whenever a warm air dryer was running, even when not being used for hand drying. Our investigation shows that Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Bacillus cereus and Brevundimonad diminuta/vesicularis were emitted from all of the dryers sampled, with 95% showing evidence of the presence of the potential pathogen S. haemolyticus. It is concluded that hot air dryers can deposit pathogenic bacteria onto the hands and body of users. Bacteria are distributed into the general environment whenever dryers are running and could be inhaled by users and none-users alike. The results provide an evidence base for the development and enhancement of hygienic hand drying practices.

Citing Articles

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Vardoulakis S, Espinoza Oyarce D, Donner E Sci Total Environ. 2021; 803:149932.

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An Evaluation of the Hand Hygiene Behaviour and Compliance of the General Public When Using Public Restrooms in Northern Ireland (NI) during the Initial Weeks of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.

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Degree of bacterial contamination in barbershops using hair dryers in Riyadh.

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