Number

320-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

Fog machines are used in show business or in firefighters and military training. Liquefied gases can be used as alternative to glycols containing fluids used in fog machines for which irritation was reported.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

other toxic effects

Other type of alternative

Liquefied air

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: Glycols do not have a high level of toxicity but they are known to be involved in fatal accidents due to their sweet taste and refreshment drink appearance. Irritation from glycols-containing fog is reported especially at pick exposure (see Further Information). Ethane-1,2- diol and 2,2'-oxydiethanol is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Alternative substances: Nitrogen is a stable gas generally considered to have low toxicity. Carbon dioxide is a known greenhouse gas. If it is not obtained from air or as recycled by-product it would increase the carbon footprint. Both nitrogen and carbon dioxide are not listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC), but they may replace oxygen in unventilated enclosures causing asphyxiation. All liquefied gases may damage skin causing cryogenic burns.

Description of Substitution

Exposure to fog on stage or during firefighter or military training may cause acute effects like eye and respiratory irritation. Such cases were reported during exposure to glycols containing fog. Mostly ethane-1,2-diol (ethylene glycol), 2,2'-oxydiethanol (diethylene glycol) and also propylene glycol are used in such applications. Cryogenic methods to obtain fog use liquefied gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide and air. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are not particularly toxic but they are hazardous because they may replace air and oxygen in enclosed areas non-ventilated. Liquefied synthetic air is a mixture that replicates the normal oxygen content of air (around 20%) but needs higher level of fire protection.

Case/substitution evaluation

The substitution needs different type of fog machines than those used with glycol liquids. It helps eliminate the use of glycol liquids that are harmful especially for sensitive or asthmatic persons. It avoids temporary glycol irritations which may not be very severe but are of concern and especially disturbing for performing artists. It also eliminates the measures necessary to manage glycols and their waste packages. Preventive measures in using the alternatives are still needed because of their chemical hazards and their pressurised state.

State of implementation

In use

Availability ofAlternative

Alternatives are available on the market

Type of information supplier

Producer / distributor

Contact

http://www.cryofex.de/index_en.html

Type of publication and availability

Internet presentation from the producer, freely available

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

The presentation is based on the description made by the producer, Cryofex, on its website, 2012.

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www.cryofex.de/faq_en.html

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021