The Importance of Non-Toxic Materials in Sauna Construction

When purchasing a sauna, whether for home use or wellness centers, the materials used directly influence the amount of benefits gained from each session. Here at High Tech Health we take pride in using materials that support user well‑being, air quality, and environmental sustainability.

Why Non‑Toxic Materials Matter

High heat amplifies the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are toxic (such as formaldehyde). These can volatilize out of the wood, infrared heaters, and wiring used to build saunas.

The High Tech Health Approach

Wood: We use 100% single wood construction with untreated (cut and kiln dried) low-VOC woods of either European Poplar or Canadian Hemlock. We do not use any plywood, particle board, or chemical lacquers, all of which off-gas harmful toxins into the sauna air (such as formaldehyde). It is extremely important to ask any sauna company if they use any “other” woods in their sauna because it is often not disclosed.

Heaters: Our patented Ideal Spectrum™ heaters are made from just two materials: high-grade stainless steel and aluminum. At the temperatures reached in our sauna (158 degrees F) we can easily prove that our heaters do not volatilize and emit any particles into the air because the melting temp of these metals is in the 1,000s of degrees F. Carbon heaters are made with a variety of materials in both the inner components and outer coating (such as fiberglass) that potentially emit into the sauna when heated.

Wiring: We are the only sauna to utilize PVC-free / phthalate-free wiring!

Going the Extra Mile: Active Ventilation and EMF

Safe construction goes beyond just materials:

Built-in ventilation fan: We are the only sauna with this feature and we have proven that it reduces CO₂ by about 46% compared to passive ventilation alone. This supports healthy oxygen levels in your sauna and body and mitigates the toxic effects of high CO₂ concentration in a small air space.
Lowest‑EMF infrared heaters: Another source of toxicity in saunas is high EMF which causes free radical production and breakdown of cellular components. We have the lowest total EMF (both magnetic and electric fields) of any infrared sauna in the industry so you can have the peace of mind knowing you are not getting zapped with these fields.

Sustainability and Supporting Planet Earth

Choosing non‑toxic materials is also an environmental decision:

Poplar and hemlock trees’ rapid growth compared to woods like cedar support sustainable materials.
We have been a carbon‑negative company since 2010 by offsetting manufacturing and shipping emissions, using only cardboard packaging (no styrofoam), and we even plant a tree for every sauna purchased!
Energy efficiency and reduced toxins: Our owner, designer, and CEO is an electrical engineer and has produced the most efficient heaters and LED lighting system of any sauna to reduce dependence on fossil-fuel‑based electricity (like coal, which emits a variety of toxins into the environment) and avoid mercury content in lightbulbs.

Conclusion

A truly therapeutic sauna must be built with expertise and integrity, from the wood inside to the wiring, glues, ventilation, and manufacturing ethic. Saunas made of solid, untreated poplar or hemlock, using chemical‑free construction, and designed for low EMF and proper ventilation, provide a clean, safe, and optimized healing experience.

High Tech Health’s commitment to these principles, combined with sustainable manufacturing practices and carbon-negative impact, sets a standard in the industry. For anyone seeking the true health benefits of sauna therapy, choosing non-toxic materials isn’t optional, it’s essential!

The best in infrared Sauna therapy