Saltstraålexponering

Saltstraålexponering refers to the exposure to saline spray and salt-laden aerosols produced by dynamic coastal water spray, most notably from the Saltstraumen, a powerful tidal current located about 33 kilometers east of Bodø, Norway. The term is used in occupational health and environmental science to describe the contact between human skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and wet salty air, as well as the deposition of salt on surfaces and equipment.

Salt spray arises when high-energy breaking waves, spray from the current, and wind create fine saline droplets that can travel with the wind and be dispersed inland. The intensity depends on tidal phase, wind speed and direction, and location relative to the current.

Health effects include skin irritation and dryness, dermatitis, eye irritation, and nasal or throat irritation. People with sensitive skin, contact lenses, or respiratory conditions may experience greater discomfort. Most exposures are brief and mild, but repeated exposure can be more troublesome.

Safety and mitigation involve protective eyewear, waterproof clothing, and gloves; limiting exposure duration; cleansing and drying surfaces; using corrosion-resistant materials for equipment; and designing shelters to reduce spray impact.

Environmental and material effects include accelerated corrosion on unprotected metal, salt deposition on surfaces, and potential damage to outdoor equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure near the coast.