Why saunas are heating up at Twin Cities fire stations
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Minneapolis Fire Foundation founder Steve Shapira shows off the new sauna at Station 17. Photo: Kyle Stokes/Axios
Fighting fire is sweaty work, but Minneapolis firefighters are still cheering the installation of saunas in five stations this year.
Why it matters: Minneapolis' fire department is the latest to install saunas on the theory they could reduce firefighters' alarmingly high cancer risk.
- St. Paul already has saunas in all of its stations for a similar reason.
How it started: Local firefighters were returning from fires covered in toxic soot and realized that even after a shower, they'd still smell like fire for days — but the stench would be gone after a sauna.
- That led them to Dr. Zeke McKinney, an occupational medicine physician at the HealthPartners Institute, who is now studying whether a post-firefight sauna helps firefighters sweat out carcinogens they encounter.
Reality check: There's currently no conclusive proof that saunas reduce firefighters' cancer risk, McKinney told Axios.
Yes, but: There is some intriguing research, including one "suggestive" study that showed a large (but statistically non-significant) drop in firefighters' carcinogen levels post-sauna, McKinney added.
- There's also plenty of research confirming saunas' other health benefits, especially for cardiovascular health.
Zoom out: Saunas are becoming part of a cultural shift in firefighting.
- A soot-blackened helmet used to be a mark of pride. Now, firefighters are embracing decontamination procedures meant to reduce exposure to carcinogens that linger on skin, uniforms and gear, Minneapolis Fire Foundation founder Steve Shapira told Axios.
- "We want to give [firefighters] more options to be healthy within the fire station" as they work shifts as long as 48 hours, Shapira said about adding saunas at stations.
What they're saying: "From personal experience … this is one way to help get all those toxins out instead of keeping it in your body for a week," MFD captain Michael Graves said.
What we're watching: McKinney is reviewing data from his sauna study, which involved 50 St. Paul firefighters.
- He can't reveal his findings yet, but he hopes to publish data within the next few months and says it's "promising."
What's next: The Minneapolis Fire Foundation — which donated the first five saunas — is seeking donors to help install saunas in the remaining 14 MFD stations plus the department's training facility.