Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products, No. 85 2007 – A mapping of products and material used within live role-play

A mapping of products and material used within live role-play

4 Questionnaire survey

In order to assess the real use of the materials that are used in role-play weapon production, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 10% of all clubs, youth centres and SFO’s in Denmark (250 out of 2500) randomly drawn from a list provided by BUPL.

The survey was carried out by forwarding an e-mail with a link to an electronic questionnaire. In the e-mail, the institutions that have role-play weapon production were asked to complete the questionnaire.

54 out of the 250 institutions taking care of 7.300 children and youth completed or partly completed the form. The questionnaire was completed by the leader of the institution or the person in charge of role play.

Thus, the survey is not representative for all institutions, but only for those conducting role-play weapon making.

Among the institutions that did not return the questionnaire, a random check was conducted with 20 institutions and around 40% of these answered that they did have production of role-play weapons, but didn’t fill in the questionnaire. Thus, a great share of the institutions that did not fill in the questionnaire produce role-play weapons.

In this chapter, we will go through the main points of the survey. The purpose of the survey was to uncover the practice in institutions that conduct role-play weapon production.

4.1.1 The youngest children mostly involved

Particularly children up until the age of 12 are involved in the production of weapons. In a few institutions, all children are involved, but on average, 25% of children in this group are involved.

Among the 13-14-year-olds, 10-15% are involved, while it is only a very in the group of children age 15 and above, and also, in general, only a few of these frequent a club.

4.1.2 Weapon production

37 institutions have informed what kind of equipment they produce.

In 80% of the institutions, weapons are made with duct tape, while 34% of the institutions state that they use latex in weapon production. 17% of all institutions state that they produce ears, scars, masks etc. made of latex. 37% state that the produce other types of equipment.

In almost 50% of the institutions, where duct-tape weapons are produces, latex weapon and or latex ears are also produced.

Latex is part of the equipment production in 40% of the institutions that filled in the questionnaire.

15 institutions have stated the number of weapons typically produced. The average is around 120 weapons per year.

The figure below displays the frequency of weapon production in the 24 institution that answered this question.

Figure 7: How often does the institution make latex weapons?

Figure 7: How often does the institution make latex weapons?

Thus, in a little less that half of the institutions, it takes place at least once a month.

4.1.3 Children are involved in all processes

The production of role-play weapons involves a long chain of processes, where some are more straining to the health than others. 38 institutions have stated whether children, adults or both are involved in the different processes.

The general tendency is children are involved in all processes in the production – however predominantly in cooperation with an adult. In a few places, there are processes that are conducted by adults or children alone.

The figure below displays the result for a few chosen processes.

Figure 8: Who are involved in the various processes?

Figure 8: Who are involved in the various processes?

4.1.4 Different opinions on the evaluation of the health aspect

The institutions were asked to provide their opinion on what could affect the health of those who conduct the various processes in weapon manufacturing.

The responses from 34 institutions showed that this was assessed very differently, which indicates that there is generally great uncertainty about what is and what is not dangerous.

Below are the results for a few chosen processes. It is evident that the institutions do not agree to what may constitute a problem to the health. As an example, 4 institutions believe that there is nothing damaging to the health by spraying with silicone, whereas 5 institutions believe that it is highly or extremely damaging to the health.

Figure 9: How do the institutions assess the health risk during weapon production

Figure 9: How do the institutions assess the health risk during weapon production

4.1.5 The choice of materials is based on own experiences and network

When shopping for materials and products for use in the production of role-play equipment, there is often a wide range of product to choose from of different quality and price. 33 institutions have responded to the question of what governs their choice of materials.

The far most common response it is peoples own experiences and network that governs the choice. Many institutions have a person who is responsible for the role-play activities, and this person is often a former or active actor in the role-play environment. Recommendations from role-play shops or societies are less important.

Every third institutions experiments with different materials in order to either reduce the price and/or improve the quality of the finished product.

4.1.6 The use of selected types of material

For a number of materials, it is possible to choose from different types, with different chemical content.

The foam plastic that is used as the basis can be made of different types of plastic. Contact glue may be solvent or water-based. For silicone, auto spray-cans and other types may be used that are often marked with an orange danger symbols such as “highly inflammable” because of its content of butane and propane. There are alternative products which are not required to have danger symbols.

34 institutions have informed whether they use these materials, among other things.

Figure 10: Use of various material in the institutions

Figure 10: Use of various material in the institutions

The answers show that relatively many of the institutions believe that they use PVC-based sleeping pads. However, most sleeping pads are made of foam plastic, and CASA therefore estimate that the responses are not based on actual knowledge of the materials. A few have stated that they choose A-labelled products. The A-label is a labelling created by Danish producer organisation. The A-label means that the colour livers up to a number of demands to the content of unhealthy substances. The A-label is not widely known, and a good deal have responded “don’t know”.

The response to the question regarding silicone is probably caused by that fact that people are often not aware that there are danger symbols on silicone spray-cans. These products are solely distributed from role-play shops, with a mechanical pump, product that do not contain propellants and therefore do not require danger labelling.

The responses indicate that the contact glue used is often water-based.

4.1.7 DIY centres and supermarket are main suppliers.

Most institutions primarily shop materials at DIY centres and supermarkets – and to a lesser extent in specialist shops, e.g. role-play shops. Only a few institutions shop on the internet.

Therefore, the expertise found in the role-play shops when it comes to choice of material and health aspects, is only limitedly used in relation to institutions.

Figure 11: Where do the institutions buy material

Figure 11: Where do the institutions buy material

4.1.8 Limited ventilation and protection

The institutions were asked to describe the physical frames of the activities and to evaluate what is done is order to protect children (and adults) during the various working processes.

Only a few of the 35 institutions that responded, state that they have actual ventilation, meaning exhaustion or ventilation in the room where the production takes place. Ventilation is primarily used during the painting process. Others open the windows, or take the work outside. But some also work before closed windows.

The figure below displays the results of selected processes. The individual institution was allowed to mark several options.

Figure 12: where does the work take place

Figure 12: where does the work take place

10 institutions work with latex, but only a few of the provide eye protection for the children.

Gloves are used in 4 places, however, only sometimes, while aprons are more frequently used. In the suppliers’ directions, it should be indicated whether gloves or the like should be used.

The regulations of Danish Working Environment Service do not apply to children, but only to the youth centre teachers participating in the work.

4.1.9 The level of knowledge in the institutions

32 institutions have estimated their own level of knowledge of possible risks in connection with the materials used. 5 have an expert level and 1 has a low level of knowledge.

Figure 13: Level of knowledge in institutions

Figure 13: Level of knowledge in institutions

There is not necessarily a connection between the use of dangerous material and the level of knowledge. Among the 10 institution working with latex, 3 have indicated that they are on level 4 or 5, 2 have indicated that they are level 3 and 4 have placed themselves on level 1 or 2. 1 has not responded.

The institutions were asked if they believed they would benefit from a folder with information on the health aspects in relation to the production of equipment. 5 is high benefit, 1 is no benefit.

Figure 14: Benefit from folder

Figure 14: Benefit from folder

4 institutions have expressed low benefit (1-2), and 3 three of these are institutions that estimate themselves as having a high level of knowledge today.

4.1.10 Also weapon production outside the institutions

35 institutions have estimated how many children they believe are involved in production of role-play equipment elsewhere. A short 50% estimate that production only takes place in the institutions, and the remaining part have stated that production also at some scale takes place outside the institution. The answers indicate that it is estimate to primarily take place at home or in role-play societies.