Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Finnish sauna air

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the air of three different types of wood-heated saunas were studied. The highest concentrations were found in the smoke sauna (total PAH 170-1550 micrograms/m3, benzo[a]pyrene 4.6-20 micrograms/m3) the second highest in the preheated sauna (total PAH 50-90 micrograms/m3, benzo[a]pyrene 3.4-4.5 micrograms/m3) and the lowest concentrations in the sauna heated by continuous burning of wood (total PAH 25 micrograms/m3, benzo[a]pyrene below 0.1 micrograms/m3). The results clearly indicate that regular bathing in the smoke sauna and in the pre-heated sauna increases the intake of PAH compounds (e.g. benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene).