How Sanitary are Salt Rooms?

The Case of Salt Mines

Salt mines, where the idea for halotherapy was born, are known to have a lower number of microorganisms in the air, compared to other places in the world according to a study published by Aerobiologia. [1]In the study, researchers sought to determine what kinds of fungi and bacteria existed within the Wieliczka and Polkowice-Sieroszowice salt mines. They found that the microorganisms within the air of these mines are ones found in salty environments, and usually aren’t pathogenic(or disease-causing) in nature.

The Case of Halotherapy Salt Rooms

Considering that salt mines are generally clean, one may wonder if halotherapy salt rooms have the same type of air quality. In a review published in Scripta Scientifica Salutis Publicae [2] , researchers say that halotherapy is effective is due to its positive effects (ie. antibacterial, antimycotic(or antifungal), and anti-inflammatory properties). Additionally, salt room environments are found to be cleaner operating rooms, due to its aforementioned benefits.

Salt’s Antimicrobial Properties

[3] In short, through osmosis, salt sucks the water out of the bacteria. As a result, the proteins in the bacteria’s body lose function, leading to the death of the bacteria. [4]

Negative Charges

Salt’s antimicrobial properties aren’t the only reason why salt rooms have clean air. There are two worth mentioning:

1.) In a review, published in Balneologia Polska [5] , researchers note how salt rooms attempt to mock the air purity of salt mines. By using halogenerators, to produce dry sodium chloride aerosol(dry salt). While being ground and dispersed, these salt particles obtain a negative charge. Because of this, the salt particles connect to contaminants in the air through static, which forces them to settle fast in order to clear the air.

2.) The negative ions produced by salt have their own special properties. In a study published in Intensive Care Medicine [6] , researchers wanted to know if negative air ions had any effect on people’s chances of being infected with certain bacteria. After rolling the experiment using an ionizer, it was found that the negative ions did have a possible preventative effect. Similarly, another study [7] , using an ionizer, found that negative ions helped decrease the chances of airborne influenza transmission between select animals.

Cleanliness at EPIC Services

Keeping the air fresh in our salt rooms does not have to be passive and overly reliant on the works of the salt itself. In fact, here at EPIC Services, we actively take part in the cleaning to give everyone a fresh experience each session. Among these activities, we:

• Use an exhaust fan to push the old air out and bring the new air in. New clients never breathe the same air used by the previous.

• Require clients to wear a disposable set of hygienic foot covers. No shoes nor bare feet are allowed in the Himalayan salt.

• Rake the salt floor between sessions. This is to ensure that the anti-bacterial salt is spread.

• Thoroughly wipe down and disinfect the zero-gravity chairs after each session.

• Air out and thoroughly disinfect each Salt Booth.

For further precautions, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, only private individual or group bookings are allowed as of this moment. This is to ensure the utmost cleanliness we can offer. In addition, we do not allow clients who are actively fighting a contagious illness to participate in Salt Therapy.

Sources:

[1] Gębarowska, E., Pusz, W., Kucińska, J., & Kita, W. (2018). Comparative analysis of airborne bacteria and fungi in two salt mines in Poland. Aerobiologia, 34(2), 127–138.

[2] Panajotova, L. Vladeva, E. (2018). Halotherapy – Benefits and Risks. Scripta Scientifica Salutis Publicae, 4, 24

[3] Walsh, E. (2019, July 2). How to Kill Bacteria with Salt. Sciencing. Retrieved from: https://sciencing.com/kill-bacteria-salt-12029250.html

[4] Davies, E. (n.d.). Why Does Salt Have Antibacterial Properties? Science Focus. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/why-does-salt-have-antibacterial-properties/

[5] Chervinskaya, A. V. (2007). Halotherapy in controlled salt chamber microclimate for recovering medicine. Balneologia Polska, 2, 134-136.

[6] Kerr KG, Beggs CB, Dean SG, et al. (2006). Air ionisation and colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit. Intensive Care Medicine, 32(2):315-317.

[7] Hagbom, M., Nordgren, J., Nybom, R. et al. (2015). Ionizing air affects influenza virus infectivity and prevents airborne-transmission. Sci Rep 5, 11431