Saunas have many proven health benefits, however this is dependent upon the source of the heat. Electric and infra red saunas are great for many aspects of our health, however woodburning saunas are very bad for our health.
Wild Swimming has really taken off over the last few years in the UK with many of our members enjoying it for its many mental and physical health benefits. The latest fad however is interfering with everyone’s enjoyment of the seaside. That fad is the woodburning sauna. These saunas are popping up all around our coast with many people believing the false claims that these saunas are good for our health. It’s quite the opposite. This is because the source of fuel being used in these saunas is coming from burning wood.
We already know from decades of evidence based research and anecdotal lived experiences that burning wood is bad for our health. The Royal College of Physicians, The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and many GPs and health professionals have all called for a ban on woodburning stoves because of the damage to health caused by them. Publicity campaigns from many local authorities in England and awareness raising by groups like Mums For Lungs, Doctors and Scientists Against Woodsmoke Pollution along with the introduction of Clean Air Night have all been leading the way on this issue.
Why woodburning saunas are bad for our health
1. Studies show that people using or sitting near small wood stoves are exposed to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) at levels many times higher than the World Health Organisation’s 24-hour guideline of 15 µg/m³.
2. Sauna users inhale deeply which means they draw pollutants further into the lungs. This amplifies the effect of the toxins in wood smoke — including carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde.
3. Even short term exposure to PM₂.₅ and black carbon from woodburning stoves raises blood pressure, triggers asthma, and increases cardiovascular risk — the opposite of the health benefits people expect from saunas.
Many people enjoy the seaside at all times of the year and enjoy the benefits of breathing in fresh sea air, but if a woodburning sauna is in use nearby, this isn’t as easy to do. Everyone is affected when in the vicinity of wood smoke from a woodburning sauna whether you are inside the woodburning sauna or walking your dog or playing with your children on the beach outside.
There is a green alternative
Converted Electric Vans are being turned into mobile saunas and they’re growing in popularity.
As public awareness grows regarding the damage to health from woodburning stoves, mobile electric saunas are the perfect truly healthy, green alternative. Just as we’ve moved away from coal fires and leaded petrol, we also need to move away from wood-burning.
Electric or infrared saunas offer all the relaxation and health benefits — without polluting the air we share. Woodburning belongs to the past. The future is electric.