Firefighters hope time in a sauna will helps them live longer lives
19 March 2019
Published by https://wpta21.com/
USA – NEVADA COUNTY (KOVR/CNN) — Firefighters face obvious dangers, like fire and falling structures. But there’s a silent threat that has claimed the lives of many firefighters over the decades. It’s cancer, caused in part, by the smoke that comes with everyday fires.
A crew in California is among those hoping their time in sweaty saunas will help rid their bodies of potentially dangerous toxins.
When firefighters in the Nevada County consolidated fire district return from a call they head straight into what looks like a sauna to ride a stationary bike. But they haven’t come in here to relax.
A memorial in Capitol Park lists the names of California’s fallen firefighters. A similar memorial in Colorado lists the names of those who’ve died from all around the country.
“Since 2002 up to 2018, 65 percent of the names on that wall are cancer-related fallen firefighters,” Capt. Patrick Sullivan said.
Smoke from structure fires is laced with toxins from burning furniture, carpeting, manufactured building materials. But science has shown that even smoke from a wildland fire, once thought to be benign can also be a silent killer.
“The structure collapses are what you see on the news. Its the day-to-day exposure cancers that you don’t see,” Capt. Sullivan said.
Nevada County consolidated fire just bought two of the decontamination units from a Canadian company. They get no warmer than 104 degrees, roughly 40 degrees cooler than a true sauna.
In a 15-minute session, Corey Jacobsen says he can feel his body sweating out smoke from a fire that he used to carry for days:
“It’s like this odor you smell it and it sticks with you for about a week,” Jacobsen said.
They don’t come in here to relax because they can be called out again at any moment.
