A Guide to Understanding Hand Dryers and UV Light

The time and place for UV light sanitizing.

You’ve heard the news: Thoroughly wash your hands. Completely dry your hands.

In 2020, everyone is looking for a hygienic restroom experience—and all sorts of vendors are promoting themselves as the next magic wand. One of the most talked-about technologies is UV light sanitation.

The truth is: UV light can be quite effective at killing germs in the right circumstances. You can sanitize a device (like your cell phone) or a surface (like your desk). However, there are many instances where UV sanitizing products are simply not effective. Chief among them is drying your hands. Here’s why:

Impractical. The instructions for UV light sanitizing call for you to shine the light for five, ten or even twenty minutes. The average person will spend just several seconds drying their hands.

Ineffective. UV light is ideal for smooth, flat surfaces. The shadows cast by the shape and creases of your hands would never be reached.

Dangerous. The World Health Organization notes that UV lamps should not be used to disinfect hands or other areas of your skin as radiation can cause serious damage.

Some HVAC solutions also incorporate UVC air purification systems; however, moving air is only exposed to this light for a few milliseconds at a time. The EPA notes that a UV-C air purifier does not seem effective as a stand-alone unit because it cannot trap or remove particles.

Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the risk of germs that are safe, proven and ideal for any restroom.

XLERATOR Hand Dryers with HEPA Filtration System remove 99.999 percent of viruses from the airstream.

LMS Technologies, a leading, independent air media and filter testing company, recently tested the effectiveness of hand dryers against the spread of germs. They challenged the XLERATOR HEPA Filtration Systems with approximately 380 million viruses ranging in size between 16.5 and 604.3 nanometers. In the end, the HEPA Filtration System removed 99.999 percent of viruses.

“The virus used in the test represents all viruses, like coronavirus in terms of their size or how they would react to the filter,” notes Al Vatine, LMS Technologies President. “I can, with confidence, tout the effectiveness of the XLERATORs with HEPA filtration systems. If it can perform this effectively in an enhanced, virus-infused scenario, it surely would provide effective filtration in real-world settings.”

With an 8-second dry time and 95% cost savings vs. paper towels, the XLERATOR with HEPA filtration system is also smart and practical.

The brushed stainless steel Wall Guards are antimicrobial in their own right—made of material that’s naturally resistant to absorption—while the black and white Wall Guards include built-in Microban ^® technology. This protective enhancement inhibits bacteria growth that can cause stains on walls and surfaces. Ideal for high-traffic restrooms, all of Excel Dryer’s antimicrobial Wall Guards are hygienic and easy to clean.

Clearly, there’s a time and place for everything, and right now a lot of organizations are taking a close look at hand dryers with HEPA filtration. If you want to learn more, give us a call at 888-503-7937.

PS: Don’t forget to wash your hands—and dry them completely.