New Dryers for Exeter High School

When Exeter High School students returned to the building in the spring of 2021, many were surprised to find that the paper towels had disappeared from the paper towel dispensers. It is unclear whether this change came in response to the coronavirus pandemic, as an effort to help the environment by reducing waste, or as an attempt to spend less money. However, what all students do know is that the hand dryers we were left with do not get the job done. It’s time for a change.

Each student bathroom at Exeter High School has one to three hand dryers, yet at least one is often out of commission. Some simply don’t turn on, while others have a broken piece that causes the air flow to be redirected straight into the user's face. As a result of these issues, long lines often form in the bathrooms as students wait to dry their hands. To make matters worse, the dryers we currently have installed deliver a weak, cool stream of air that requires at least thirty seconds to fully dry the users’ hands. As busy students who have to contend with a strict bell schedule, we don’t have time to stand in line for a dryer. As a result, most students resort to wiping their hands on their clothes, which transmits bacteria to freshly clean hands.

Drying hands properly is almost as important as washing them in terms of preventing the spread of harmful bacteria that can cause sickness. According to Dr. Pritish K. Tosh from the Mayo Clinic, “Wet hands spread germs more easily than dry hands do.” Therefore, Exeter High School should invest in new hand dryers for student safety and convenience. Of the newer dryers on the market, one of the best reviewed is the Dyson Airblade V, which offers a twelve second dry time and a HEPA filter for maximum safety. According to a rough calculation, this investment would be quite pricey at about $40,000 to replace all the dryers in the school. However, if the installation were drawn out over a five year period, it would become much more reasonable in terms of cost per year.

In order to protect the health and convenience of students and faculty, it’s time to upgrade the bathroom hand dryers.