Those bathroom hand dryers do spread bacteria around at an alarming rate: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-bacterial-horror-of-...

> the researchers attached high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to the dryers, which would eliminate most of the bacteria from the air passing through the dryer.

As I recall, one of the selling features of the Dyson Airblade is that it has a HEPA filter built-in.

they might have a hepa filter, but the output drags a tonne of air with it. They are pretty unhygenic, but I'm not sure how bad it is compared to having wet hands.

Maybe one could make an air drier that sucks air around the hands and into a filter instead of onto the hands?

On the output?

I hate them. They blow water all over the place and I can't help but touch them by mistake. I don't even use them and just wipe my hands on the back of my t-shirt like an animal after washing if there are no paper towels.

Air dryers are super unhygienic. One person who did not wash their hands properly means droplets with germs all over the place. Plus, in places with high humidity (or even otherwise) it takes a long time to actually dry your hand. Recyclable paper towels are so much better.

I've worked in a place with those. Over time they build up mould in tiny crevices that are nearly impossible to clean without taking the whole thing apart, which is not an easy task. Plus, they blow water drops all over when you use them (put down some strips of water reactive paper... It blows them up to 10 feet away). Not a very healthy technology.

The best hand dryers I've user are the really powerful blowers that can peel paint if you need them to. They're extremely loud though.

I wondered how powerful an Xcelerator dryer is compared to an ion thruster a few years back. I'd looked at dryer specfications and realized they're in the same magnitude in terms of mN!

You just sent me into a very weird YouTube rabbit-hole.

They are basically terrible, as they spread whatever is on your hands all over the room.

Paper is actually really effective, but only if you use it properly (don't crumple, always fold in 2, and wipe). 1 small piece is actually enough for both hands unless they are still dripping water.

To me these seem unhygienic - hands often touch the dryer also droplets are projected upwards(often in your face).

I'm glad they changed it from "insert your hands between two blades of air" to "put your hands under ONE blade."

The old design would just push your hands into one side or the other, where the bacteria-laced water from the last person still remained.

I don't understand comments like this, I have never had a problem not touching the sides.

I figured that was why they changed the design?