Blacksmiths in Incheon's Geomdan-gu district are eating salt to maintain hydration while working in extreme heat this week [1].
Their situation highlights the physical toll of manual labor during severe weather events. As outdoor temperatures rise, those working in high-heat environments face increased risks of dehydration and heat exhaustion, necessitating unconventional coping mechanisms to sustain their livelihoods [1].
The environment inside the forge is significantly hotter than the surrounding heatwave. The furnace reaches temperatures of 1,500°C [1], while the metal plates being worked upon reach 800°C [1]. Reporter Cho Kyung-won said that simply stepping a few paces toward the furnace causes faces to flush and sweat to pour due to the radiant heat [2].
To cope with the conditions, the workers consume salt. They do this because drinking water alone is insufficient to keep them hydrated when losing massive amounts of electrolytes through sweat [1]. The blacksmiths continue their operations despite the heat to ensure their economic survival.
"There are those who are fighting a struggle against the sweltering heat while continuing their livelihood despite the heatwave that continues day after day," an anchor for YTN News said [3].
The forge in Geomdan-gu represents one of the few remaining traditional workspaces where laborers must endure these specific thermal extremes. The combination of atmospheric heat and industrial furnace temperatures creates a hazardous working environment that requires constant monitoring of physical health [1].
“The furnace reaches temperatures of 1,500°C.”
This situation illustrates the intersection of traditional industry and climate vulnerability. While modern workplaces utilize climate control, traditional trades like blacksmithing remain exposed to both ambient environmental heat and extreme operational temperatures, making workers in these sectors disproportionately susceptible to heat-related illnesses during intensifying summer heatwaves.
