DCHAS-L Archives, Jan 24 2017 - Re: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab

From: Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 09:06:23 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 159d0cc8bcb-2865-f7b**At_Symbol_Here**webprd-m09.mail.aol.com
In-Reply-To

AW, GEEZ. Want to use theatrical smoke a fog? Then follow the ANSI E1 standards for theatrical atmospheric effects (particularly ANSI E1.5 and E1.23) that require a hand held particle counter to insure no one is exposed above the levels set. Rent the MIE pDR 1000 DataRAM made by ThermoScientific and use the Actor's Equity calibration factors for each product made by the many different manufacturers. Want copies of these documents? Contact me.

Want to use fire effects or pyro before a proximate audience? You have NFPA 160 and 1120 to read first and meet all those SAFETY standards. And those standards do NOT address the hazards of the smoke. NASTY stuff comes off pyro indoors so you will need to have a room that whose air can be completely exhausted in 5 minutes--and not returned. And you will need the SDSs on the pyro to look at the potential for regulated metal emissions on reaction. I'm one of the technical editors of the Encyclopedia of Pyrotechnic Chemicals and know what goes into this stuff.

And if you don't want to meet these best practice standards that are enforced by many of the unions, be prepared to say why when some asthmatic has a problem. I was retained in the the death of an asthmatic audience member exposed to pyro smoke in a big arena and we got a big settlement. I am now retained by the family of a 13 year-old who was exposed to theatrical fog, collapsed outside the venue, was air lifted to a hospital and was comatose for 2 years before she died. Those are the two most dramatic lawsuits. There are dozens of others for effects in performers and audience alike.

People were designed to breathe air. Put something in the air other then air, and be prepared to defend yourself. And these products have a track record. If you want the data sheet from ACTS on the legal stuff, it's free. Just ask.

Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist

President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.

Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE

181 Thompson St., #23

New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062

actsnyc**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com www.artscraftstheatersafety.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Melissa Anderson <mwanderson08**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Mon, Jan 23, 2017 9:23 pm
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab

We're in the process of converting one of our introductory chemistry classes into a project-based curriculum. One of the ideas that's getting tossed around is a project built up around movie special effects, and the subject of pyrotechnics and other fire effects came up.

One spirited discussion later, we (well, some of us) were left wondering about the safety and legal constrains of creating theatrical pyrotechnics as part of a chemistry lab project. In particular, I know that fireworks are 100% illegal in our city, which seems to imply that anything involving flash powder-type reactions might not only be dangerous, but illegal. However, I'd like to bring more than my own initial bias to our next meeting.

I'd like to be able to bring some insights back to the group on:

1) What kind of evidence exists for or against the legality and safety of such a project? (i.e. laws, anecdotes, case studies, etc.)

2) Is this idea, overall, worth the logistical hassle?

3) Are there some particularly good alternatives that would have the same "wow" factor (i.e. allows students to experiment with variables and has a neat effect) but with decreased risk.

Any suggestions or insights would be most welcome!

Melissa Anderson

Chemistry Instructor

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

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