text: An Oregon lawmaker proposed legislation Monday creating uniform standards for hand dryers in public restrooms. The bill says that the recent proliferation of powerful dryers is efficient, but can sometimes trigger ringing of in the ears, or cause discomfort for people with development or sensory disabilities. The measure would require all new or replacement dryers to operate at a noise level no louder than 84 decibels. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that is about as loud as a school cafeteria. A measure proposed to the Oregon legislature would require all new or replacement dryers to operate at a noise level no louder than 84 decibels, about as loud as a school cafeteria. (File photo) It also wouldn't allow hand dryers blowing air downwards to blow air faster than 115 mph, in case the hand-dryer manufacturer doesn't label the decibel level. Bill sponsor Democratic Sen. Chris Edwards told the Senate Committee on Business and Transportation that the new generation of hand dryers used to elicit episodes in his autistic son, who would cry and cover his ears when he heard them. It's not the hand-dryer motor that's too loud, Edwards said, it's the 'air knife' against the hand that can cause a sharp, shrill sound. 'I almost didn't bring this bill because this is not the most consequential bill of the legislative session. We all know that,' Edwards said. Democratic Senator Chris Edwards (left) sponsored the bill after his autistic son had episodes after hearing loud hand dryers. Republican senator Chuck Thomsen (right) says he prefers paper hand drying . 'But nonetheless there are those of us that just find these hand dryers to be extraordinarily obnoxious and disruptive to family members.' The bill would also 'requires downward blowing hand dryer to not blow air at an air velocity that exceeds 115 miles per hour'. High-speed, efficient new hand dryers, such as the Dyson Airblade or the Excel Xlerator, are fast replacing the old models, which often left hands still dripping wet. Still, there are some who would prefer if hand dryers were a thing of the past altogether. 'The new ones are faster, but I still would ban them all and go back to paper,' said Republican Sen. Chuck Thomsen of Hood River. The bill, SB 488, is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday.
target: Bill would require all new dryers to be no louder than 84 decibels .
  State senator says the 'air knife' elicited episodes in his autistic son .