Survey shows concerns about facilities

A large majority of people fear that poor hand washing and drying facilities in public toilets are posing a risk to their health, according to a major new piece of research. In an in-depth study commissioned by hygiene products supplier KIMBERLYCLARK PROFESSIONAL, 87 per cent of respondents said public conveniences did not consistently provide adequate hand washing and drying facilities.

The survey shows that the issue is a worry for people, with 95% of respondents believing that inadequate hand washing and drying facilities in public toilets impact on the public's health and safety. Although hand hygiene campaigns frequently focus on the washing of hands, the KIMBERLY-CLARK PROFESSIONAL survey also demonstrates that inadequate drying facilities are also a major health concern. 12 per cent of respondents said that inadequate hand drying facilities would deter them from washing their hands at all.

"Wet surfaces transfer bacteria much more readily than dry ones, so a lack of acceptable drying facilities means we are not able to clean our hands properly and stop the spread of germs," says Pete Oliver, category manager at KIMBERLYCLARK PROFESSIONAL.

The company commissioned the survey as part of its 'Take Control of Poor Hand Drying' campaign, which is designed to highlight that single-use paper towels offer a higher form of hygienic hand drying.