Industrial hygienist Monona Rossol returns to the show to discuss health and safety on film and TV sets. She will address safety violations in the film and TV industry which have resulted in injuries and deaths, such as the death of a young crew member last February on the set of the upcoming Gregg Allman biopic.

Monona Answers Listener Questions:

Snooty the Film Snob from Dying Brooklyn
It's criminal that people die in service of such unadulterated garbage. And all the time and money lost on crap. The film crews invading Carroll Gardens lately are the absolute worst. 

Dear Snooty,

The problem is that most people in the U.S. seem to judge worth by income. And the film business is a very big industry. That film being shot in your neighborhood may earn a Billion dollars worldwide, so most people give those crews a pass. I'm sorry they bother you. New York has about 40 productions shooting here and there right now.

Monona Rossol

Joanne from 488 Greenwich Street NYC
I live in a charming 19th century house on Greenwich Street, a street that has more than an equal share of film crews. My husband had to scream and act crazy to STOP STOP the film crew from blowing up a car and having it burn just feet from our home. They assured us that they had water to put it out and a permit. We abslolutely stopped them because of the TOXIC fumes and fire danger and explosion that they would detonate. SOMETIMES THE CREWS ARE CRAZY !! And we who live on the block are perceived as nuts.

Dear Joanne,

I also live in Greenwich Village and have just as much concern when they shoot on my street. And I would have objected to blowing up a car on my street for the same reason. Good on you. And there is so much that can be done by computer now that I see no reason to take these kinds of risks in a populated area.
Monona Rossol

Tony from Austin, Tx
I was under the impression unions protected both techs and actors for working in dangerous situations. Is this not the case?

Dear Tony,

Oh we TRY! But it's not that simple. The producers come up with new things that put people at risk and often the workers are afraid of losing their jobs if the employer thinks they might have complained to us. And with 40 different productions shooting in the area, we can't be everywhere at once.
Monona Rossol

Peter from Manhattan
Is it true that the actor who played the "Tin Man" in the original Wizard of Oz became ill due to the make-up he had to wear?

Yes and No. The actor who played the Tin Man, Ray Bolger, was fine. But he got that part because Buddy Ebsen, who originally was cast in the role, was made very ill from inhaling the powdered aluminum that was used to dust on the surface of that make up. He claimed he had lung problems from that time on. In my files is a copy of the letter he wrote about that incident.
Monona Rossol

sbg from nyc
There's definitely a combination of machismo and a fear of being thought a troublemaker that operates to keep most crew people and even talent from complaining or even worrying aloud about conditions on set.

Dear sbg,

Bingo. That's the primary reason they 1) never complain and 2) are even afraid to call us for fear that someone will find out they called. And their fears are exacerbated by the nature of this business. These are mostly very short term jobs and they are continually "auditioning" for the next job whether they are acting or in the crew. The situation makes them all insecure.