[GreenYes] Paper hand towels vs. electric air dryer

["Roger Guttentag" <rgutten@concentric.net>]

Dear Mark:

I am forwarding to you the message I sent to EPPNET on 7/12/00 on the same
topic as expressed in your 1/24/01 message to GreenYes.  This forwarded
message can be found below your original message which I left for future
reference by other GRRN list members.

Roger M. Guttentag
610-584-8836
rgutten@concentric.net

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I'm searching for any life cycle analysis, studies, etc., regarding paper
hand towels vs. electric air dryers?  Anyone able to assist?  Any and all
information is greatly appreciated.

Have a great day!

Mark S. Kidd
Program Educator
Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling
155 N First Ave., MS 4
Hillsboro, OR 97124
v 503.846.8182
f 503.846.4928

----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Guttentag <rgutten@concentric.net>
To: Environmentally-preferable products procurement
<eppnet@lilith.webrover.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 8:41 AM
Subject: [eppnet] Re: Paper towels versus Electric hand dryers.


> Dear Mike:
>
> I can't resist a challenging topic.  Did some searching and found the
> following references that may be helpful to you:
>
> http://www.hi-tm.com/Documents/handwash.html - Listing of articles on hand
> washing that is located on the Hospitality Institute of  Technology and
> Management  website.  Use the "find on this page" function found on the
Edit
> menu of either Navigator or Internet Explorer to look for the text string
> "paper towels."  This will help you find all articles that discuss in some
> way the differences between paper towels and other hand drying methods
such
> as electric dryers.
>
> http://suntzu.larc.calpoly.edu/ecs/courses/407/hygiene/had2.htm
> http://www.wmin.ac.uk/~redwayk/Research/had2.htm
> http://www.wmin.ac.uk/~redwayk/Research/WADsummary98.htm
>
> These links reference two University of Westminster studies comparing
> different hand drying methods.  The findings of these studies are more
> favorable toward paper towels. It should be noted, however,  that the 1998
> study was supported by paper tissue manufacturers. (Some of the article
> abstracts listed on the HITM site, by contrast, are not as critical of
paper
> towels).   I don't know how well regarded these U. of W. studies are - it
> may be worthwhile to get an opinion from some public health professionals
> who are familiar with this literature.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Roger M. Guttentag
> 610-584-8836
> rgutten@concentric.net