Research by academics in Bradford has confirmed a new type of hand dryer is the most hygienic on the market.

Professor Clive Beggs and Dr Anna Snelling, of the Bradford Infection Group at the University of Bradford, have been working with Dyson Ltd on the development and testing of the high-speed dryer.

The machine was unveiled yesterday by inventor James Dyson, the vacuum cleaner king, following trials in hospitals, restaurants and petrol service stations.

The machine, called the Dyson Airblade, has a motor which pumps out room-temperature air at 400mph through a 0.3mm slot.

The constant sheet of air acts like a windscreen wiper, drying both hands in only ten seconds. It relies on air pressure to remove the water rather than heat and evaporation used by standard dryers.

The device then sterilises the waste water and releases it back into the air as an invisible mist.

Because of its superior hand drying qualities Professor Beggs and Dr Snelling believe it is hygienically superior to conventional warm air dryers and has the potential to greatly improve hand drying compliance and reduce the spread of infections.

Prof Beggs said: "We all know that washing your hands helps to prevent the spread of infection.

"However, what many of us don't realise is that the hand drying process can be as important as hand washing itself.

"Washing with soap and water doesn't always remove all the contaminating bugs from your hands. Transfer of bacteria, including types that might be harmful, is more likely to occur from skin that is wet than from skin that is dry."

Prof Beggs and Dr Snelling put the dryer through a series of rigorous scientific trials during which they found men spent on average 16 seconds drying their hands and 37 per cent of women spent no more than ten seconds attempting to dry their hands, with only nine per cent of women prepared to spend the 30 seconds it takes for conventional dryers to work.

Dr Snelling, a senior lecturer in microbiology, said: "Unlike hand washing, which is recognised as being a key factor in controlling the spread of infectious disease, the important role of hand drying in the overall hygiene process has remained largely unrecognised.

"Through effective drying of hands it is possible to reduce the numbers of bacteria transferring to skin, food or other inert surfaces by about 99 per cent."

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

  • Click here for more health news