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Respiratory health impacts in the entertainment industry from exposure to theatrical smokes and fogs

University of British Columbia

The potential for respiratory health impacts from exposure to theatrical smokes and fogs (glycol or mineral oil aerosols) in the entertainment industry has raised concern among employees and performers and given rise to compensation claims. One hundred and one entertainment industry workers in British Columbia were studied in live theatre, film production, music concerts and other venues where theatrical smokes and fogs was used on the study day. Sites consisted of a convenience sample and participation was greater than 70%. An American Thoracic Society based questionnaire with additional questions on skin and voice symptoms and exposure history was used to assess chronic effects. Cross-shift spirometry, an acute symptoms questionnaire and exposure monitoring on the study day were used in assessing effects from acute exposure. Monitoring data and histories were used in estimating cumulative exposure to theatrical smokes and fogs over the past 2 years. Compared to controls, the entertainment industry group had reduced FEV1 (p<0.05), and increased dyspnea (p<0.05), work-related chest tightness (p<0.05), work-related sneezing (p<0.05) and work-related nasal symptoms (p<0.05). For the entertainment industry group only, internal multivariable analysis to assess symptom relationships to cumulative exposure over the past 2 years (1000 mg/m3-hrs) showed the following for work-related symptoms (OR, 95% CI): cough. 1.8 (1.1, 3.1), phlegm 2.4 (1.1, 5.3), wheezing 1.4 (0.9, 2.1), chest tightness 1.2 (0.8, 1.9), nasal symptoms 0.9 (0.7,1.3), and skin rashes 1.2 (0.7, 2.1). Glycol-based theatrical smoke was associated with acute symptoms as follows (OR, 95%CI): cough 2.7 (0.5, 14.5), chest 2.0 (0.6, 6.7), 2 or more nose/throat/voice 2.4 (0.5, 9.7), dryness 4.9 (1.7, 13.8), central nervous system 3.9 (1.4, 11.3), and irritative eye 3.2 (1.0, 10.6). No significant associations were found between cumulative exposure and FVC and FEV1. However, percent FEV1/FVC was significantly associated with cumulative exposure (B=1.17, p<0.05). For cross-shift lung function changes mineral oil-based theatrical smoke was negatively associated with FEV1 (B=-1.35, p=0.1). Overall, the results indicate that exposure to theatrical smokes and fogs is causing nonspecific respiratory irritation and increasing the risk for chronic airflow obstruction among BC entertainment industry employees.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-10-28

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/14247

Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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