I want to second the oily deposit. We had them used in our building for a New Year's Eve party just a few months ago. It is possible that a safe alternative is available, but I don't yet know of it. If someone DOES find one, please let me know. Due to the nature of our building, we are not going to win the battle on "no smoke machines," at least in certain areas. If you are told the smoke is harmless, read the MSDS. It will tell you what is in the mixture, mineral oil or whatever. You have to receive the MSDS if you ask for it, under law. Lisa Lisa Shockley, Curatorial Specialist, 3-D Collections Union Station/Kansas City Museum 30 W. Pershing Road Kansas City, MO 64108 816-460-2055 "Where there is Peace; there is Culture; Where there is Culture; there is Peace." Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947) ________________________________ From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jackson, Gregory Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 3:56 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: smoke screens in museums Alexandra, It has been my experience that the fog/smoke machines that use "smoke fluid" tend to deposit an oily residue on surface. It has been a while since I used one though, so technology might have improved. Dry ice or some other technology may do the trick. Greg Jackson Pottsgrove Manor Historic Site ________________________________ From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alexandra Trumbull Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 4:34 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] smoke screens in museums And another question... I am looking for thoughts by conservation and collections staff on the use of fog machines or smoke screens in exhibits. The Indiana Historical Society has launched a new exhibit that uses a sensor-activated smoke screen, projecting an image on a wall. The director of conservation and I are monitoring the changes in RH in the galleries and are interested in how other museums and galleries have found compromises between exhibits and conservation regarding this technology. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thank you again, Alexandra ________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=51733/*http:/mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62 sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ%20> ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).