MONTREAL – A Canadian study may give you pause for thought next time you reach for a paper towel in a public washroom.
The study finds bacteria is thriving, even on unused towels.
The new study by researchers at Laval University in Quebec City, and published in the American Journal of Infection Control, says some of those germs could be transferred to people after they’ve washed their hands.
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The study authors say their work doesn’t imply that paper towels are unsafe; just that they could possibly be an unwanted source of contamination in certain environments.
The study suggests paper towels could pose a danger in certain clinical or industrial settings.
While a study of six towel brands showed all had germs, recycled towels were the most heavily contaminated – with between 100 and 1,000 times more bacteria.
Contamination is a problem in the pulp and paper industry, where contaminated machinery can later affect the paper product.
Researchers also say the bacteria may thrive on recycled paper because it contains binding ingredients like starches and fillers, which serve as food.
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