If the oil-based machines (crackers) produce particles that are so much smaller than those produced by water/glycol/glycerol based ones I would assume that those smaller particles can and will penetrate deeper into the respiratory system. I can imagine that could lead to increased irritation.
Sorry,
I am unsure of the particle size of a glycol based hazer?
It may be smaller than the size of a DF-50 particle, or even smaller than the particle from an MDG? but I honestly have no idea.
What I do know is that the particle size of the droplets from an MDG are significantly smaller than the particles from an DF-50.
This makes the MDG a significantly cleaner hazer than an DF-50.
The Actors Equity study states as I quoted above, that in "normal concentrations" exposure to mineral oil was not associated with increased respiratory or nasal symptom reporting, as glycol exposure was.
This seems to prove that in most instances, mineral oil hazers will cause less respiratory distress than glycol will.
And you are absolutely correct, it is all about the concentration of haze that causes the distress, however, you need far more glycol haze than oil based haze to get the same effect.
I can run a MDG HO hazer for 4-6 weeks at a time on a single gallon of fluid. in that time 2 unique 2's while creating an uneven haze, will most likely go through 10-20 gallons of fluid each.
Shows such as Cirque's Believe that use the uniques, use 10-20 hazers, and buy their fluid in 55 gallon drums.
As for the haze disappearing from the air,
Once you have put a substance into the air, it will continue to exist in the air, even if it is not visible.
I would suggest with no proof whatsoever, that the glycol will continue to be detectable in the air long after the haze effect has diminished.
Also,
On my tours that used a Unique, I did still have residue on the dichroics of several moving lights, however, it was more of a dried on style of buildup, very unlike the oily buildup that happens with a DF-50.
To be honest it was very hard to clean off, but it wasn't as noticeable than the oil residue.
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