Characterizing Exposures to Smoke and Fog Special Effects by Actors in Broadway Musicals. K. R. Wilmarth, Life Sciences Consultancy, Washington, DC; and A. S. Kao, ENVIRON Corporation, Arlington, VA
An epidemiological study of the potential health effects of theatrical smoke, fog, and pyrotechnic special effects on performers in Broadway musicals is currently being completed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate safe and appropriate use of chemical substances to which certain occupational subpopulations could be exposed. As part of this study, a detailed exposure assessment has been conducted to characterize exposures to these effects received by actors. Each theatrical production represents a unique working environment in which potential exposures will be dependent on specific usage patterns of the materials, placement and activities of the cast onstage, physical design of the effect release points, and overall design of the stage and house ventilation system. In designing this study, emphasis has been placed on obtaining data that will allow us to estimate both the integrated exposure (total exposure over the course of a show) and intermittent "peak" exposures during specific scenes within a production. To accomplish this, a combination of area sampling, instantaneous breathing zone grab samples, and personal air sampling pumps placed on some cast members for specific scenes was used. In this presentation, we will describe the types of materials currently used for theatrical smoke and fog special effects, their release and movement onstage, and sampling techniques. A discussion will also be presented of the general methodologies used in this study, which can be applied toward evaluating materials that are currently used or being considered for use in other unique exposure scenarios.
Go to . . .
1999 SRA Table of Contents
1999 SRA Author Index
Main Abstracts Menu Page
RiskWorld Home Page