Assessment of potential for viral contamination of user and environment via aerosols generated during hand drying: A pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hand drying is an essential step of hand hygiene, helping remove microbes remaining on hands following handwashing. However, it is unclear whether particles dispersed or aerosolized during hand drying can also have an impact on microbe dissemination and so pose an infection risk.

Methods

We used a PR772 bacteriophage to investigate whether microorganisms remaining on hands can disperse in the washroom environment and contaminate facemasks of others sharing the same space, as a surrogate for virus inhalation risk. Hand drying using either a jet air dryer or paper towels were performed, and mask contamination by splattering and droplet deposition was investigated, up to 15 min following each procedure.

Results

Facemask contamination by splattering was 10-fold

SUBMITTER: Moura IB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9641239 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature