Chemicals in the Performing Arts: HazCom Requirements, Common Hazards, Storage, and Emergency Response
Performing arts programs use a wide variety of chemicals across their operations: paints, dyes, adhesives, solvents, cleaning agents, specialty coatings, welding materials, and pyrotechnic compounds. Chemical hazards in the performing arts are frequently underestimated because the quantities used at any one time are relatively small compared to industrial manufacturing, and because the products are familiar — paints and adhesives are household products, after all. But chronic, repeated low-level exposure to chemicals with cumulative health effects is a real and documented hazard in performing arts, and the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) establishes clear obligations for chemical management in every workplace.
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, known as the Hazard Communication Standard or HazCom, is the foundational regulation for chemical safety in the U.S. workplace. It aligns with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) to create a consistent approach to chemical hazard communication. The HazCom standard requires:
- Chemical Inventory: employers must maintain a written inventory of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
- Safety Data Sheets: a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be maintained for each hazardous chemical and must be accessible to employees in their work area during all work shifts. SDSs must follow the 16-section GHS format.
- Labels: all containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled with the product name, hazard pictograms, signal word (Danger or Warning), hazard statements, and precautionary statements, per the GHS format.
- Training: employees must be trained on the hazards of chemicals they work with, how to read SDSs and labels, and what protective measures to use.
- Written Hazard Communication Program: the program must document how the employer implements HazCom requirements.
Reading a Safety Data Sheet
The 16-section GHS-format SDS provides all the information needed to understand a chemical’s hazards and use it safely. The most practically important sections for performing arts workers:
- Section 1 (Identification): product name, manufacturer contact, emergency phone number.
- Section 2 (Hazard Identification): hazard classifications, GHS pictograms, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements. This is the summary of what can go wrong and what to do about it.
- Section 3 (Composition/Ingredients): hazardous ingredients and their concentrations. Review this section to identify any known carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or sensitizers in the formulation.
- Section 4 (First Aid Measures): what to do in case of exposure. Know this before you start working with a new chemical.
- Section 7 (Handling and Storage): safe handling procedures and storage requirements (temperature, incompatibilities, ventilation needs).
- Section 8 (Exposure Controls/PPE): occupational exposure limits (OELs) for hazardous ingredients, engineering controls required, and specific PPE recommendations.
- Section 9 (Physical and Chemical Properties): flash point (relevant for fire hazard assessment), boiling point, vapor pressure (higher vapor pressure = more vapor generated at room temperature = greater inhalation exposure).
Common Chemical Hazard Categories in Performing Arts
Solvents
Organic solvents are used in theatrical work as vehicle components in oil-based paints and varnishes, as adhesive carriers in contact cements and specialty adhesives, as cleaning agents for tools and brushes, and as makeup removers. Common solvents in theatrical use:
- Mineral spirits and naphtha: used in oil-based paints and as paint thinner/brush cleaner. Central nervous system depressants at high concentrations; skin defatting agents on prolonged contact. Flash point approximately 100-140 degrees F (Class II combustible liquid).
- Acetone: used in some adhesives, contact cements, and as a cleaning agent. Highly flammable (flash point -4 degrees F; Class I flammable liquid). Lower acute toxicity than many other solvents but forms explosive vapor-air mixtures.
- Toluene: formerly common in rubber cements and contact cements. CNS depressant, reproductive toxin (OSHA STEL: 150 ppm). Avoid products containing toluene where alternatives are available.
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA): used extensively in theatrical makeup and prosthetics work for cleaning and as a spirit gum remover. Flammable (flash point 53 degrees F). Lower toxicity than many other solvents but requires ventilation for sustained use.
Adhesives
Adhesives used in theatrical production range from water-based contact adhesives (relatively low hazard) to solvent-based contact cements (significant inhalation and fire hazard) to cyanoacrylate (super glue) and two-part epoxies (sensitization potential). Key adhesive hazards:
- Contact cement: solvent-based contact cements (used for bonding foam, fabric, leather) contain n-hexane, toluene, or other solvents with significant health and fire hazard. Use water-based contact cement alternatives where possible. Solvent-based contact cement must be used with adequate local exhaust ventilation.
- Cyanoacrylate: rapid-cure adhesive that bonds skin immediately. Generates acetic acid vapor during cure that is irritating to eyes and mucous membranes, particularly in enclosed spaces. Separate bonded skin with acetone or mechanical separation (patience); do not pull bonded skin apart.
- Two-part epoxy: both the resin and the hardener components can cause contact sensitization. Once sensitized, a worker may react to trace amounts. Use in ventilated conditions with nitrile gloves.
Cleaning Agents
Cleaning agents used in performing arts include general purpose cleaners (low hazard), alkaline cleaners for metal (moderate hazard), and solvent-based degreasers (significant hazard). Specific cautions:
- Never mix cleaning chemicals. Bleach mixed with ammonia generates chloramine gas; bleach mixed with acids generates chlorine gas. Both mixtures can be lethal in enclosed spaces.
- Concentrated alkaline cleaners (pH above 12) can cause chemical burns to skin and eyes on contact.
- Solvent degreasers (brake cleaner, parts washer solvent, industrial degreasers) used in shop maintenance are often Class I flammable liquids with significant inhalation hazard. They must be used with ventilation and away from ignition sources.
Theatrical Specialty Chemicals
Several chemicals specific to theatrical production deserve individual attention:
- Scenic dope (theatrical sizing): historically a dilute hide glue or wheat starch paste, modern scenic dope for priming and sizing drops may include preservatives and biocides. These are generally low hazard but may contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
- Theatrical fog fluid: glycol-water or mineral oil-based fog fluid generates aerosols when heated in a fog machine. The aerosol from glycol-based fluids is generally recognized as low toxicity for short exposures. However, prolonged, repeated exposure to theatrical haze and fog has been documented to cause respiratory symptoms in performers and crew. Ensure adequate fresh air dilution and limit exposure for persons with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
- Dry ice (solid CO2): used for low-fog effects. Dry ice sublimes to CO2 gas. In enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, the CO2 can displace oxygen and create asphyxiation risk. A CO2 concentration of 7% causes unconsciousness in minutes. Never use dry ice in a closed, unventilated space. Carbon dioxide detectors are advisable in pit areas where dry ice effects are used.
Chemical Storage and Segregation
Incompatible chemicals stored together create explosion, fire, and toxic gas release hazards if the containers fail or are mixed. The basic segregation rules:
- Acids and bases must be stored separately.
- Oxidizers (bleach, peroxides, potassium permanganate) must be stored separately from flammable and combustible materials.
- Flammable liquids must be stored in an approved flammable materials cabinet (FM-approved or UL-listed) when the quantity exceeds the threshold in NFPA 30.
- Reactive chemicals (peroxides, sodium, some special effects compounds) must be stored separately from general chemical storage with appropriate labeling.
Chemical Exposure Response
Every performing arts program must have a plan for responding to chemical exposures:
- Eye wash stations: required within 10 seconds of any area where a corrosive chemical is handled. Eye wash stations must be maintained and tested weekly.
- Emergency shower: required for skin contact with corrosive chemicals in quantity. Less commonly needed in theatrical work but required where strong acids or bases are used.
- First aid: the SDS Section 4 provides first aid guidance specific to each chemical. Train workers on first aid for the chemicals in their area before they begin work.
- Emergency contacts: the facility must have accessible contact information for Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) and emergency medical services.
Key Takeaways
- OSHA HazCom (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires a chemical inventory, SDS for every hazardous chemical, properly labeled containers, and documented training for all workers who use chemicals.
- Never mix cleaning chemicals: bleach plus ammonia produces chloramine gas; bleach plus acid produces chlorine gas.
- Solvent-based contact cement must be used with local exhaust ventilation and away from ignition sources. Use water-based alternatives where possible.
- Dry ice (CO2) used in enclosed spaces creates asphyxiation risk. Ensure ventilation and consider CO2 detection in pit areas.
- Theatrical fog and haze fluid aerosols can cause respiratory symptoms with prolonged repeated exposure. Provide fresh air dilution. Do not use haze over persons with respiratory conditions.
- Flammable liquids above NFPA 30 thresholds must be stored in an FM-approved or UL-listed flammable materials cabinet.
References
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Hazard communication. 29 CFR 1910.1200. U.S. Department of Labor.
National Fire Protection Association. (2021). NFPA 30: Flammable and combustible liquids code. NFPA.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Air contaminants. 29 CFR 1910.1000 (Table Z-2). U.S. Department of Labor.
Rossol, M. (2001). The artist’s complete health and safety guide (3rd ed.). Allworth Press.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. (2023). TLVs and BEIs. ACGIH.