Editing Paper towel (section)

==Environmental issues==
{{see|Environmental impact of paper}}
{{see also|Toilet paper#Environmental considerations}}
Paper towels are a global product with rising production and consumption.<ref name=pulppapermill>{{cite web|url=http://www.pulppapermill.com/guidelines-to-choosing-best-paper-towels/|title=Guidelines to choosing best paper towels|date=16 August 2015|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref> Being second in tissue consumption only to [[toilet paper]] (36% vs. 45% in the U.S.), the proliferation of paper towels, which are mostly non-[[recyclable]], has globally adverse effects on the environment.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Stanford Magazine|title= Taking Paper Towels to the Compost Pile: Nitty-gritty|author=Jingshi Wu|url=https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=29083}}</ref> However, paper towels made from recycled paper do exist, and are sold at many outlets. Some are manufactured from bamboo, which grows faster than trees.

Electric [[hand dryer]]s are an alternative to using paper towels for hand drying.<ref name="innovateus">{{cite web|url=http://www.innovateus.net/content/how-much-tissue-paper-does-american-household-use-day|title=How much tissue paper does an American household use in a day?|website=www.innovateus.net|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref> However, paper towels are quicker than hand dryers: after ten seconds, paper towels achieve 90% dryness,{{Clarify|date=December 2021|reason=not clear what 90% dryness means}} while hot air dryers require 40 seconds to achieve a similar dryness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.oceanconservancy.org/2012/10/12/paper-towels-whats-the-big-deal-anyway/|title=Paper Towels – What's the Big Deal Anyway?|website=Ocean Currents|access-date=2017-03-06}}</ref> Electric hand dryers may also spread bacteria to hands and clothing.<ref>TÜV Produkt und Umwelt GmbH Report No. 425-452006 [http://www.europeantissue.com/pdfs/090410%20T%C3%9CV%20-%20Study%20of%20different%20methods%20used%20for%20drying%20hands%20Sept%202005.pdf A report concerning a study conducted with regard to the different methods used for drying hands; September 2005]</ref><ref name="Huang2012">{{Cite journal|last1=Huang|first1=Cunrui|last2=Ma|first2=Wenjun|last3=Stack|first3=Susan|date=1 August 2012|title=The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence|journal=Mayo Clinic Proceedings|language=en|volume=87|issue=8|pages=791–798|doi=10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.02.019|pmc=3538484|pmid=22656243|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>Ngeow YF, Ong HW, Tan P. Dispersal of bacteria by an electric air hand dryer. Malays J Pathol. 1989 Aug;11:53-6.</ref>