Hygienic sauna
The microbiological cleanliness in sauna
Traditionally, the sauna has always been regarded as a clean space, but due to the warm and damp conditions, it may also contain some hygiene risks. If built using the correct materials, with sufficient ventilation and correct temperature, it is easy to keep the sauna hygienically clean. There have been only a few studies conducted regarding sauna’s microbiology. Even though microbes have optimum breeding conditions in the damp and warm atmosphere of the wash room, in the actual steam room these conditions are not as favourable due to the drier atmosphere and higher temperatures. Microbes have notable variations in their resistance to heat.
In 2002, a study into sauna hygiene, comfort and the effects of humidity stated that no dangerous microbes or diseases were discovered. In terms of microbiological risks, saunas were declared not to pose any real risk to health since the microbes found are normally present in humans anyway.
The level of microbes present, in general, is too low for infections to occur, and microbes do not pass through undamaged, healthy skin. Harmful bacteria normally get quickly destroyed even in quite low temperatures. According to the microbiological study, no health damaging bacteria were found in the sauna’s atmosphere. No evidence of dermatophytes, which can result in athlete's foot, was found.
Most of the microbes get destroyed in 50-60 degrees
centigrade in a few minutes.
The low surface temperature levels of tiled seating,
around 40 degrees, allows for a higher levels of microbes. Cleaning did not lower the levels in
any notable way. Water will penetrate the ceramic seating during bathing and
the surface will not dry in the same way as wooden seating.
The surface temperatures of wooden seats are between 60 and 80 degrees centigrade. The test results recommend wooden seating to be reintroduced in public saunas where they have been phased out due to their short durability. The sauna stays hygienic if it is washed after use with ordinary cleaning detergents. The sauna is dried with increased ventilation and sufficient temperature.
Keywords: Sauna hygienic, hygienic in sauna, sauna cleanless