Theatrical Smoke & Haze Testing

In the United States, the current, widely recognized guidance levels for maximum exposure to actors of fogs, smoke effects, hazes, and other atmospheric effects using glycol, glycerol, and mineral oil are the following:

These guidance levels were developed by ENVIRON International Corporation (ENVIRON) and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Mt. Sinai) to minimize the potential impact on the health of actors due to exposure to these effects. The development of these guidance levels arose from.a study conducted by ENVIRON and Mt. Sinai at the request of Actors' Equity Association (Equity) and the League of American Theaters and Producers (the League) to determine whether the use of smoke, haze, and pyrotechnics special effects in theatrical musical productions is associated with a negative health impact in actors.

ENVIRON provides the following services:

• Testing of theatrical smoke and haze - If your production uses theatrical smoke or haze, you should consider conducting testing to determine whether its use is in conformance with the recommended guidance. Depending on the type, number, and complexity of your effects cues, this testing would be conducted either during a performance or during a work call. If cues are identified where the guidance levels are exceeded, ENVIRON can work with you to develop alternative means of achieving the desired visual effects while reducing potential exposures to within the guidance levels.
• Development of calibration factor data - If you are a manufacturer of smoke or haze-generating equipment or fluids, calibration factor data will be necessary in order for productions to ensure the use of your equipment and fluids is in conformance with the recommended guidance. ENVIRON is working with ESTA to conduct regular calibration factor data collection on an annual basis. Alternatively, if you have a specific deadline, ENVIRON can arrange to have your equipment and fluids evaluated separately.

ENVIRON has conducted smoke and haze testing at numerous productions, including:

We have worked with smoke and haze equipment from a wide range of manufacturers, including:

Because we collected the original exposure measurements on which the guidance levels are based and developed the air sampling protocol recommended by Equity for theatrical smoke and haze testing, we are uniquely qualified to provide testing services and documentation that would be responsive to any inquiries made by your cast or Equity.

For further information, contact:

Alan Kao
8 Hollis Street
Groton, Massachusetts 01450
+1 978.449.0324
Email Alan Kao

Related Links

• Calibration Factors (format: pdf)
• Time and Distance Guidelines (format: pdf)