Bacteria from unused paper towels may be transferred to healthcare employees after they wash their hands, which may pose risk of bacterial transmission to patients, according to research published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
For their study, researchers assessed bacterial counts on six different unused paper towel brands. They found several types of bacteria on the paper towel brands, including Clostridium, though bacterial counts for this type of microorganism was quite small (0.01 percent).
Researchers also found paper towels made from recycled fibers harbored between 100- to 1,000-times more bacteria than virgin wood pulp brands. In addition, bacteria were easily transferred to disposable nitrile gloves.
For their study, researchers assessed bacterial counts on six different unused paper towel brands. They found several types of bacteria on the paper towel brands, including Clostridium, though bacterial counts for this type of microorganism was quite small (0.01 percent).
Researchers also found paper towels made from recycled fibers harbored between 100- to 1,000-times more bacteria than virgin wood pulp brands. In addition, bacteria were easily transferred to disposable nitrile gloves.
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