Why Do Firefighters Use Saunas to Reduce Cancer Risk?

Firefighters use saunas to sweat out some of the cancer-causing chemicals they absorb on the job and to recover from the physical and mental toll of the work. After the World Health Organization’s cancer agency classified firefighting as a Group 1 carcinogen in 2022, fire departments across the U.S. began adding saunas to their stations as part of cancer-prevention and wellness programs.

Sauna therapy isn’t a cure, and it doesn’t replace proper decontamination. But there is real, science-backed logic behind why firehouses are installing them.

Why are firefighters at higher risk of cancer?

They’re at risk because fighting fires exposes firefighters to a mix of known carcinogens, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from combustion and PFAS “forever chemicals” from their gear. They absorb these through the skin and lungs.

In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified occupational firefighting as Group 1 — “carcinogenic to humans”, the same category as tobacco smoke and benzene. They found sufficient evidence linking the work to mesothelioma and bladder cancer.

The conclusion was appropriately blunt: “Occupational exposure as a firefighter causes cancer.” — IARC / World Health Organization

The International Association of Fire Fighters now reports that occupational cancer has become the leading cause of line-of-duty death among firefighters. Warm, sweaty skin absorbs chemicals faster. So, soot that settles on the neck, jaw, and hands after a fire keeps being absorbed long after the flames are out. That’s one of the bigger reasons why post-fire cleanup and skin care matter so much.

Can a sauna actually remove toxins from the body?

Sweating can help eliminate some accumulated toxicants. Studies have detected compounds like BPA, phthalates, and certain heavy metals in sweat, but the evidence for “sweating out” PFAS and PAHs specifically is still emerging, not settled.

The most-cited work here is the “Blood, Urine, and Sweat” (BUS) study by Genuis and colleagues, which found that a number of toxic elements and industrial chemicals showed up in sweat, sometimes at higher concentrations than in blood or urine. That makes sweat a plausible elimination route for certain toxicants.

What it does not do is prove that a sauna clears the specific carcinogens firefighters care about most. Bottom line: sauna sweating is a promising, complementary tool, but it’s not a substitute for proven decontamination procedures. Those can include gross decon on scene, showering within the hour, and cleaning turnout gear.

What does the research on firefighters and saunas show?

A Minnesota pilot study is directly testing whether sauna sessions lower firefighters’ levels of PAH carcinogens. The good news: the early interest is strong enough that departments are already installing saunas.

The study, led by Dr. Zeke McKinney of the HealthPartners Institute with the Minnesota Public Health Laboratory and funded by the St. Paul Fire Department, collects 24-hour urine and in-sauna sweat samples and analyzes them for PAH metabolites using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results are still being analyzed, and researchers note there has been relatively little rigorous research on whether saunas measurably reduce cancer risk. In the meantime, both the St. Paul and Minneapolis fire departments have installed station saunas. Firefighters already report clear benefits for job stress.

Traditional sauna vs. infrared sauna for a fire station

Most departments choosing a sauna are weighing two options. For a crew coming from a physically brutal fire, tolerability and turnaround usually decide it.

Beyond detox: the other reasons firefighters use saunas

Carcinogens aside, heat therapy earns its place in a firehouse because it can contribute to:

Cardiovascular recovery. Cardiac events are a top cause of on-duty firefighter death. Long-term research links frequent sauna use with substantially lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

Muscle recovery. Heat boosts circulation to fatigued muscles after heavy physical work.

Stress, sleep, and mental health. Sauna time lowers cortisol and supports better sleep. That’s meaningful for any profession, but particularly for one with high rates of stress and PTSD.

Camaraderie. A shared decompression ritual after a rough job can have a kind of teamworking value that’s hard to quantify.

What kind of sauna is best for a fire department?

For most stations, an infrared sauna is the practical choice. Why? Because it produces a strong sweat at a far more tolerable temperature, warms up quickly between crews, and costs less to run than a traditional hot-air unit.

For a department or clinic, look for commercial-rated, independently tested low-EMF units built for heavy daily turnover. Explore Health Mate commercial infrared saunas for stations and wellness facilities, or head to the business page to talk through a station setup.

Takeaways

The WHO’s IARC classified firefighting as a Group 1 carcinogen in 2022; occupational cancer is now the leading cause of line-of-duty death.

Firefighters absorb carcinogens like PAHs and PFAS through skin and lungs; sweating is one plausible elimination route.

Evidence that sweat removes some toxicants (BPA, phthalates, metals) is real; proof it clears PFAS/PAHs specifically, however, is still emerging.

A Minnesota study (Dr. Zeke McKinney) is actively testing sauna sweat for PAH carcinogens; departments are already installing saunas.

Saunas complement but never replace on-scene decon, showering, and gear cleaning. They can also aid cardiovascular recovery, sleep, and stress.

Infrared saunas are usually the best fit for stations. That’s because they provide tolerable heat, strong sweat, fast turnaround, and a lower operating cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do firefighters take a sauna after a fire?

To promote sweating that may help eliminate some absorbed toxicants, and to recover from the cardiovascular and physical strain of the call. It’s best used alongside, but not instead of, decontamination and showering.

Do saunas remove PFAS or “forever chemicals”?

Some toxicants have been measured in sweat, so sweating is a plausible elimination route. However, strong proof that saunas meaningfully clear PFAS specifically doesn’t exist yet. Treat it as a promising, complementary strategy while research continues.

Is firefighting officially linked to cancer?

Yes. In 2022, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified occupational firefighting as Group 1, meaning it’s carcinogenic to humans, with sufficient evidence for mesothelioma and bladder cancer.

Is cancer really the leading cause of death for firefighters?

The International Association of Fire Fighters reports that occupational cancer has become the leading cause of line-of-duty death among firefighters, surpassing on-duty cardiac events in its data.

Do saunas replace washing off and decontaminating after a fire?

No. Gross decontamination on scene, showering within the hour, and cleaning turnout gear are proven most effective. A sauna is a recovery and wellness complement and not a replacement.

Should a fire station buy an infrared or a traditional sauna?

Infrared is usually the better fit: it delivers a strong sweat at a more tolerable 120–150°F, warms up faster between crews, and costs less to operate. Choose a commercial-rated unit built for heavy daily use.

How soon after a fire should a firefighter use the sauna?

Decontaminate and rehydrate first. A sauna session is best once a firefighter has cooled down, cleaned up, and rehydrated. Never get into the sauna while still dehydrated or overheated from fighting a fire.

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