Theatrical smoke and fog: Difference between revisions

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Theatrical smoke and fog, also known as special effect smoke or haze, is used in the entertainment industry in motion picture and television productions, live theatre, concerts, at nightclubs, raves and even in some video arcades. They are used for creating special effects and to make lighting visible. If one is at any of these entertainment venues and beams of light are visible, that means smoke and fog are being used; otherwise, the light beams would not be visible. Militaries may also use smoke and fog to mask troop movements in training and fire department may also use smoke for training missions.

Types of effects

There are generally 3 types of fog effects: Smoke/fog, haze, and dry ice.

Fog/Smoke

The smokes and fogs are created by heating different glycol mixtures until they start creating a mist via the use of a fog machine.

Haze

Another method is by atomizing mineral oil via a machine that works much like a spray pump breaking the oil into a fine mist. This method is called haze, and it is produced by using an aptly-termed haze machine. Haze can also be created with glycol-based fluids.

Carbon Dioxide/Dry ice

Dry ice effects are produced by heating water until it boils in a large container (very often, a 55 gallon drum with water heater coils in it) and then dropping in a large piece of dry ice. This makes the carbon dioxide sublimate (go from solid to gaseous states) very quickly, much faster than it normally does when in a location at room temperature. A fan is placed at the top of the container which directs the fog where it is needed. The fog lies low to the ground and is used in theatrical shows, concerts, film and television to provide a rolling carpet of fog effect. It is also relatively cheap as dry ice is much cheaper than smoke/haze fluid.

Adverse Health Effects

Four studies [1]. [2] [3] [4]have been published on health effects from exposure to theatrical smokes and fogs. Two of the studies focused on the effects on actors and performers on Broadway musicals and a remaining study looked at the use of fog in the commercial aviation industry for emergency training of staff to stimulate fire conditions. The most recent study, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine in May 2005, looked at adverse respiratory effects in crew members on a wide variety of sights ranging from live theatre, concert, television and film production and in a video arcade.

Exposure to smoke and fog was related to upper airway and voice symptoms. Shortterm exposure to glycol fog was also associated with headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and tiredness. Extended exposure to smoke and fog was associated with both short-term and long-term respiratory health problems.

The use of digital effects in post production on film and television sets is a safer practise than using theatrical smoke and fog during filming. [5].

References

1.Varughese S, Teschke K, Brauer M, Chow Y, van Netten C, Kennedy SM. Effects of theatrical smokes and fogs on respiratory health in the entertainment industry.Am J Ind Med. 2005 May;47(5):411-8. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/110453202/ABSTRACT

2.Burr GA, Van Gilder TJ, Trout DB, Wilcox TG, Driscoll R. NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation HETA 90-0355-2499. Actor's Equity Association. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1990-0355-2449.pdf

3.Wieslander G, Norback D, Lindgren T. Experimental exposure to propylene glycol mist in aviation emergency training: acute ocular and respiratory effects. Occup Environ Med. 2001 Oct;58(10):649-55. http://oem.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/58/10/649?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author1=Wieslander+G&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT

4.Moline JM, Golden AL, Highland JH, Wilmarth KR, Kao AS. Health Effects Evaluation of Theatrical Smoke, Haze and Pyrotechnics. Prepared for Actor's Equity Pension and Health Trust Funds. June 6, 2000. http://www.actorsequity.org/docs/safesan/finalreport.pdf

5.Teschke K, Chow Y, van Netten C, Varughese S, Kennedy SM, Brauer M. Exposures to atmospheric effects in the entertainment industry. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2005 May;2(5):277-84. http://ujoeh.metapress.com/(1gimcfqqicoi0e3h3tghj5fu)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,6,7;journal,25,41;linkingpublicationresults,1:110614,1

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 [http://www.actorsequity.org/docs/safesan/finalreport.pdf]have been published on health effects from exposure to theatrical smokes and fogs.  Two of the studies focused on the effects on actors and performers on Broadway musicals and a remaining study looked at the use of fog in the commercial aviation industry for emergency training of staff to stimulate fire conditions. The most recent study, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine in May 2005, looked at adverse respiratory effects in crew members on a wide variety of sights ranging from live theatre, concert, television and film production and in a video arcade.
-Exposure to smoke and fog was related to upper airway and voice symptoms. Shortterm exposure to glycol fog was also associated with headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and tiredness. Extended exposure to smoke and fog can cause both short-term and long-term respiratory health problems.
+Exposure to smoke and fog was related to upper airway and voice symptoms. Shortterm exposure to glycol fog was also associated with headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and tiredness. Extended exposure to smoke and fog was associated with both short-term and long-term respiratory health problems.
 The use of digital effects in post production on film and television sets is a safer practise than using theatrical smoke and fog during filming. [http://ujoeh.metapress.com/(1gimcfqqicoi0e3h3tghj5fu)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,6,7;journal,25,41;linkingpublicationresults,1:110614,1].