There was a peer-reviewed report published in the journal for Applied and Environmental Microbiology that studied the amount of bacteria that was blown from hand dryers in 36 public restrooms at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. The sample from the study concluded that as many as 60 colonies of bacteria were blown from a hand dryer in just 30-seconds. A number of those bacteria were linked to fecal and human bacteria, even bacteria known to cause serious infections.
Why YSK: So that you are informed for your own health, hygiene, and wellness and to prevent further spread of more harmful bacteria.
Citation & Sources: “Deposition of Bacteria and Bacterial Spores by Bathroom Hot-Air Hand Dryers” (April 2018), Applied and Environmental Microbiology
If the blower is blowing fecal matter then it would also be settling all over the paper towels. Issue is placement not anything to do with the blowers.
Almost every public restroom I’ve ever been in has the paper towels and toilet paper locked in a closed dispenser unit.
Luckily paper towels are stacked though, so I’ll just avoid wiping my hands with the folds.
Bathrooms should just have a unisex hand washing station away from the toilets. May not work well for older buildings but new developments can implement that easier