Our lives in our hands
March 1st 2006

Hospital acquired infections, SARS, MRSA and now bird flu. We have seen something close to panic spread across the world as the media paints a picture of a potential pandemic that just might bring the modern world to its feet. So, asks Metsa Tissue's Markus Reivala, what is the answer and how can we prevent it?

Sales of anti-flu drugs like Tamiflu have burgeoned as bird flu has spread into Western Europe. With new cases brings new strains of the virus, and the increased threat of the H5N1 virus. Global companies are preparing for the worst, for example HSBC bank believes as many as half of its workforce could be knocked out of action by a bird flu pandemic and with around 253,000 staff in 77 countries this could have a huge economic impact. When a true pandemic arrives you can imagine city streets packed with mask-wearing commuters and shoppers. In reality however there are some highly practical solutions, one of the most important being to improve hand hygiene.

Hands play a huge role in the spread of germs.

If not washed frequently then hands can pick up bacteria and viruses from other sources and then we infect ourselves when touching our eyes, nose or mouth. The US Centre for Disease Control and Protection describes good hand hygiene as "the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection".

Public hand washing facilities in this country however are often woeful. In high traffic locations the risks of infection are at their greatest, yet washrooms often fall short. Conventionally "washrooms" are a euphemism for toilets, but actually we should be looking to provide public wash stations where people can wash their hands for any reason.

A busy train station is a prime example where thousands of commuters pass through on a daily basis, each of them transporting germs from and along the way touching the seats, doors and hand rails on the trains, potentially spreading germs. Add to this the humidity of a crowded train and you can have an ideal environment to spread disease. Large train stations are notorious for their well-hidden washroom facilities that if you are lucky enough to be able to locate them, you then have the misfortune of having to pay to use what can be somewhat uninviting areas.

For these reasons a simple, easily-locatable wash station could be more effective in serving the simple purpose of washing hands. They could act in the manner of a water fountain - low maintenance, unobtrusive but serving a vital purpose. They would be of most use in destinations such as airports, train stations, hospitals, shopping centres and supermarkets - areas where a large number of people have the ability to transport germs and cross-contaminate one another.

A wash station should contain running water, an adequate supply of soap and touch-free hand washing and drying facilities. Guidelines such as those from the World Health Organisation should be publicised to encourage effective hand washing. For example the WHO emphasises that hand washing should not be limited to hands and should also include wrists. Washing should be thorough with soap and running water for at least 10-15 seconds. The process should include drying hands with a paper towel, which is the most hygienic form of hand drying as you are wiping away any remaining germs with a fresh hand towel. Washing hands with water and soap will leave around 13% of bacteria behind. Combining water and soap washing with the use of a paper towel can reduce bacterial hand combination by 98%. Such a high traffic wash station would require robust dispenser units that are easy to keep clean and refill. In order to maintain good hygiene a paper towel dispenser would need to be self-presenting, so that the users can withdraw a towel without touching (and contaminating) the next.

Dispenser design is moving forward to meet such high traffic needs. For example Metsä Tissue's electricallypowered Katrin roll towel dispenser automatically presents a new hand towel of the right size as soon as a towel is taken. This helps to control consumption and by accommodating long-lasting 200-metre Katrin roll towels, the dispenser also helps to control labour costs as rolls need less frequent changing. Specifically designed to facilitate hands-free operation, the dispenser helps to maintain the highest hygiene levels by preventing cross contamination.

In the mean time hand towels themselves are moving forward.

Innovative new embossing patterns, such as those featured on the Metsä Tissue One Stop Hand Towels, help to make them softer, stronger and more absorbent. This makes them a cost-effective choice because they offer high performance hand drying. As they absorb 20% more than conventional products and soak up water 100% faster, only a single towel will be needed to wipe hands dry.

What could be a simple and effective approach to improving hand hygiene and reducing the spread of harmful bacteria would be good practice for the future in an ever increasing global community. But the question is should we really be waiting for a bird flu pandemic to motivate people to invest in such things as wash stations?

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