Fog machine

Typically, fog is created by vaporizing proprietary water and glycol-based or glycerin-based fluids or through the atomization of mineral oil.

These security smoke devices can produce between 300 and 1,000 cubic meters (11,000 and 35,000 cu ft) of smoke in 30 seconds and have been utilized in a wide variety of industries, including buildings requiring a high level of security, such as banks and jewelers, but also warehouses, offices, retail premises and in cash-handling chains.

Traditional thermal fog machine technology has difficulty reaching crawling pests such as roaches, flea, and rodents due to the droplet size being too fine (less than 10 micrometers (0.00039 in)).

[citation needed][3] Cold Fogging, in contrast, is heavy enough to penetrate these "air-curtains" as well as light enough to be evenly distributed within a room.

Atmospheric effects generated using water and dry ice or liquid nitrogen can present asphyxiation or breathing hazards.

[5] A number of studies have been published on the potential health effects presented by exposure to glycol-based theatrical fogs and artificial mists.

Two studies, a Health Hazard Evaluation completed in 1994 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,[6] and another one in 2000 by the Department of Community and Preventative Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and ENVIRON;[7] both prepared for Actors Equity and the League of American Theaters and Producers, focused on the effects on actors and performers in Broadway musicals.

The conclusion of both studies was that there was irritation of mucous membranes such as the eyes and the respiratory tract associated with extended peak exposure to theatrical fog.

Exposure guidelines were outlined in the 2000 study that, it was determined, should prevent actors from suffering adverse impact to their health or vocal abilities.

Another study[8] focused on the use of theatrical fog in the commercial aviation industry for emergency training of staff in simulated fire conditions.

In May 2005, a study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine,[9] conducted by the School of Environment and Health at the University of British Columbia, looked at adverse respiratory effects in crew members on a wide variety of entertainment venues ranging from live theaters, concerts, television and film productions to a video arcade.

This study determined that cumulative exposure to mineral oil and glycol-based fogs were associated with acute and chronic adverse effects on respiratory health.

This study found that short-term exposure to glycol fog was associated with coughing, dry throat, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and tiredness.

Extended (multi-year) exposure to smoke and fog has been associated with both short-term and long-term respiratory health problems.