Dyson jet dryers dry hands much faster than the older models, but they spread more germs than traditional dryers and paper towels, based on a new study. Research findings show that they spread 100 times more microbes than paper towels up to a distance of 3 meters (9.8 feet).   

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom and published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology. It found that that the jet dryers also spread 20 times more microorganisms than warm air dryers, according to Huffington Post Canada.

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However, the maximum distance of germ-spreading was much higher for Dyson's Airblade hand dryers. They sent out 60 times more germs than old-school warm air dryers, and 1,300 times more microbes than paper towels.

In addition, the germs were spread almost 10 feet (3 meters) from the dryer, according to Medical Daily. That could expose people standing around the electric dryer to the hand-washer's germs.    

During the study participates used a virus solution to wash their gloved hands. Researchers then used petri dishes to collect samples at various heights and distances from the hand dryers and paper towels. The harmless virus named MS2 mimics the spread of spread of human viruses.

Researchers wrote that the type of hand-drying device used in places where infection prevention issues are a top priority is important. They include hospitals and restaurants.

This new study's results are similar to 2014 research that also discovered jet dryers spread more bacteria than warm-air units or towels. The study was conducted by the University of Leeds.

It found that jet dryers produced airborne microbes that traveled almost 27 times farther compared to those near paper towel dispensers. In addition, the bacteria from jet air hand dryers stayed in the atmosphere for 15 minutes after the person finished drying their hands.   

The two studies might encourage companies to consider options in their restrooms such as biodegradable paper towels.

A Dyson spokesman argued that the researchers' methods were biased. He explained that Dyson's Airblade model uses a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to kill 99.9 bacteria in the air.

Here's a WHO-approved hand-washing method: