Aerosol Pollution and Data Scarcity: Citizen Sensing of Glycol-Based Theatrical Fog Exposure in Theme Parks

This study examines aerosol pollution from glycol‑based theatrical fog in indoor entertainment venues, a setting with no dedicated regulatory framework and significant data scarcity. Using a low‑cost ubiquitous sensor, the work documents repeated PM2.5 spikes during fog events in theme park theaters, with readings frequently exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hazardous thresholds. The findings highlight a disconnect between industry safety claims and the chronic exposure experienced by guests and employees. Grounded in personal informatics, the study demonstrates how accessible sensors can serve as qualitative hazard indicators in environments where professional monitoring is absent. The results motivate a research agenda for environmental informatics, calling for inspection frameworks, calibration models, and purpose‑built software to support public health accountability. Technical Note: PM2.5 measurements were collected using a handheld low‑cost sensor. During peak fog events, readings often reached the device’s firmware maximum (999 µg/m³). These values should be interpreted as qualitative indicators of high particulate concentration, as current low‑cost sensor calibration factors do not account for the chemical profile of glycol‑based aerosols.