Hand dryers in the sinks of shopping malls, restaurants, petrol stations and some crowded centers can be harmful to health. Underlining that these devices can cause respiratory system diseases and some skin diseases, Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Vedat Turhan warned, “Especially those with such diseases should be extra careful and stay away”.
Jet-type hand dryers, which are frequently seen and widely used in some crowded centers, can be harmful to health. Prof. Dr. Vedat Turhan, Infectious Diseases Specialist at Beylikdüzü Medicana Hospital, who made various statements on the subject, said, “These machines have two basic features. The first is that they generate heat and emit hot air with great pressure towards the hands of the users and the environment. This process creates two main risks. This high heat can act as a reservoir for the proliferation of bacteria resistant to high temperature, which we call thermo resistance.”
“Alternative systems such as towel-type drying systems can be used”
Prof. Dr. Turhan pointed out that these devices can actually pose a serious risk to public health while trying to protect against bacteria and create hygiene, and said, “On the other hand, it can also pose a separate risk for the spread of bacteria with a jet-type physical effect with high pressure. Thus, even the models with the lowest power of hand dryers pose a great risk to public health. When the device is turned on, it transfers harmful particles directly to your hand. It is not enough to put a HEPA filter for the particles they throw into these devices. The HEPA filter prevents 75 percent of the particles, but the dangerous 25 percent remains. As far as we have seen, these devices are often not cleaned well, especially in places such as large shopping malls”. Therefore, the use of such devices in public areas is harmful to health. Instead, alternative systems such as towel-type drying systems can be used.”
“ Immunosuppressive drug users should also be careful”
Prof. Dr. Turhan finally added the following:
“Everyone goes to public places. Children, old people, young people, including individuals on immunosuppressive medication. There may be sick individuals. These devices can cause respiratory system infections, as well as some skin diseases and similar disorders. People with respiratory problems or skin diseases and those who use immunosuppressive drugs should stay extra away from these devices and pay attention.”
