Shoe Spray Alert for Theatrical Wardrobe Attendants

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a report on acute respiratory illnesses caused by the use of reformulated Wilsons Leather Protector and reformulated Magic Guard leather conditioner (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. (1993); 42(46): 885-887).  A total of almost 200 cases have been reported following use of these products.  The products had been reformulated to eliminate 1,1,1-trichloroethane (i.e., methyl chloroform), an ozone-depleting solvent, in accordance with Title VI of the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. In addition, the fluoropolymers and propellants in these spray products had been changed.  The solvents had been changed to hexane and 2,2,4 trimethylpentane, the propellants from carbon dioxide to isobutane and isooctane, and the fluoropolymers from FC-905 and FC-3537 to FS-4565.

According to the CDC, the illnesses described appear to be either acute chemical pneumonia or polymer-fume fever.  Chemical pneumonia can be caused by inhalation of high concentrations of hydrocarbons like hexane, and polymer-fume fever by inhalation of fumes caused by heating fluoropolymers to high temperatures (e.g. a lit cigarette).  Both aerosol sprays and non-aerosol pump shoe sprays used without adequate ventilation have been implicated in these cases.


Art Hazard News, Volume 16, No. 5, 1993

This article was originally printed for Art Hazard News, © copyright Center for Safety in the Arts 1993. It appears on CAR courtesy of the Health in the Arts Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, who have curated a collection of these articles from their archive which are still relevant to artists today.