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Houston-area fire department using saunas to lower firefighter cancer risk

Some Houston-area firefighters are working up a sweat, using saunas to cut their cancer risk.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - Some Houston-area firefighters are working up a sweat, using saunas to cut their cancer risk.

Studies show firefighters are more susceptible to getting sick.

“The sauna puts the firefighter into a fever state and it purges the toxins that their bodies have absorbed during a fire fight,” said East Montgomery County Fire Chief Howard Rinewalt.

The EMC Fire Department got the idea from colleagues in Canada and is now one of a handful of departments in Texas using detox saunas.

They cost about $5,000 each and can be assembled by the firefighters themselves. The saunas are equipped with a stationary bike to help firefighters sweat a lot.

“I mean, it makes perfect sense to come back here and her in the sauna and sweat out and actually kind of flush your skin,” said EMCFD Captain Kyle Foster.

The skin of firefighters is exposed to the same kind of soot and carcinogens that coat their hats after responding to fire calls.

Chemicals contribute to higher rates of multiple cancers.

“I think longevity is important for the effectiveness of a fire department,” Chief Rinewalt said. “And if our firefighters are happy and healthy, they’ll stay longer and be on the job longer.”

Ten to 20 minutes pedaling in a sauna set as high as 104 degrees may held decrease the danger.

“I think every department should look into these,” Captain Foster said.

ECMFD also does routine blood work and CT scans to monitor the health of firefighters. It hopes to install saunas in every station.

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