Indeed, in a global hygiene study⁵ in July 2020, Dyson examined how attitudes towards the washroom and general hand hygiene have changed since COVID-19 started. The study revealed that poorly maintained washrooms caused people concern, with 43% worrying about having to press buttons on hand dryers to use them. 57% of those surveyed selected touchless activation of a hand dryer as one of the features that would put their mind at ease if using a hand dryer and a further 43% stated that hand dryers with filters, which clean the air would also make them feel more confident when drying their hands with a hand dryer.

So, in response to that and this renewed vigor around hygiene, Dyson also commissioned research with an independent laboratory into different drying methods after rinsing hands or properly washing hands and examined the question of aerosolization, which became a topic of discussion at the beginning of the pandemic. After thorough peer review, the findings have been published in scientific journal Frontiers in Public Health titled 'Aerosols and bacteria from hand washing and drying in indoor air.'

What is Aerosolization? Aerosolization is the emission or creation of liquid or solid particles, or a mix of both that are suspended in air. Depending on the size and other factors they will stay longer in the air or will settle quicker. For example, 10 microns aerosols could take a few minutes to settle while aerosols smaller than 0.3 microns might never settle. The time of settling increases with the decrease of the size of the aerosol.

The new research supports that Dyson Airblade™ technology is a safe and hygienic washroom solution, especially compared to paper towels giving employers and employees assurance that a Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer is a hygienic washroom essential at a time when returning to the workplace is a concern for many.  

“We know damp hands can transfer up to 1000 times more bacteria than dry hands” ⁶, says Salome Giao, Senior Researcher at Dyson. “We wanted to ensure that people are washing and drying their hands properly and dispel any myths around aerosolization and hand dryers,” she explains. “Not having a drying option in a washroom due to misinformation can increase the spread of germs and is ultimately unhygienic,” she adds.

Find the full findings published in scientific journal Frontiers in Public Health here.

In 2022, this research was independently peer-reviewed and published in the scientific journal Frontiers of Public Health. The article is available here.

What is the study and what does it mean for workers?

This new research supports that the Dyson Airblade^TM is a safe and hygienic way to dry your hands. In this independent study hands rinsed with water (no soap) or washed with soap for 20 seconds were then dried using Dyson Airblade^TM hand dryers or paper towels. The objective was to determine the effect of the different hand drying methods on concentration of aerosols and bacteria in air. The study results showed that a minimal number of aerosols can be generated in a washroom due to different activities, such as walking, and using a tap. It also revealed that in general drying your hands with a Dyson Airblade^TM hand dryer showed no statistical difference to these common washroom activities, such as walking and washing hands.

 It also showed the increase of aerosols and bacteria numbers after drying with any of the Dyson Airblade^TM hand dryer models is comparable to the numbers obtained when hands are dried with paper towels. Dispelling any uncertainty around this technology in the process. Add to that the fact that Dyson Airblade™ technology is touch-free at a time when people are conscious of touching surfaces such as dispensers, door handles or touching buttons.