Hand dryers spread more germs than towels

High-powered hand dryers may seem ultra-hygienic but spread more germs than paper towels, research has shown.

Scientists at the University of Leeds found that airborne germ counts around jet air dryers were 27 times higher than they were in the vicinity of paper towel dispensers.

Researchers carried out tests by contaminating hands with a harmless bacteria, lactobacillus, which is not normally found in public toilets.