Diacetyl | Popcorn Lung Disease
Numerous
articles in major publications such as the New
York Times and the Washington
Post have recently been written on the dangers of popcorn factory workers'
exposure to a chemical called "Diacetyl." The chemical diacetyl has
been linked to a serious lung disease known
as Bronchiolitis Obliterans, commonly known as "popcorn
lung." When
diacetyl vapors are inhaled over long periods of time, the small airways in
the lungs become swollen and scarred. Sufferers have no difficulty breathing
in, but have extreme difficulty exhaling. Bronchiolitis Obliterans or "popcorn
lung" can be fatal. Symptoms include the following:
• Fixed airway obstruction
• Scarring of the lung
• Inflammation of the lung
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Diminished lung capacity
The National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted several studies
confirming the link between workers' exposure to artificial butter flavoring
and lung diseases. In 2000, NIOSH issued recommendations to a Missouri
microwave popcorn plant for protecting their workers from Diacetyl. In
2003, NIOSH sent an alert to 4,000 businesses that recommended safeguards
for protecting their workers against this dangerous chemical.
Now apparently, this warning has been extended to consumers.
According to a September 5th article published in the New York Times, "A
fondness for microwave buttered popcorn may have led a 53-year-old Colorado
man to develop a serious lung condition that until now has been found only
in people working in popcorn plants." The article went on to say that, "Lung
specialists and even a top industry official say the case, the first of its
kind, raises serious concerns about the safety of microwave butter-flavored
popcorn. We've all been working on the workplace safety side of this, but
the potential for consumer exposure is very concerning," said John B.
Hallagan, general counsel for the Flavor
and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States, a trade association of companies that make butter flavorings
for popcorn producers. "Are there other cases out there? There could
be."
The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) is researching this
case as part of a review of the safety of Diacetyl in many microwave popcorns,
including Orville Redenbacher and Act
II. Stephanie Childs, a spokesperson
ConAgra Foods, the nation's
largest maker of microwave popcorn, said the company is planning to remove
diacetyl from its microwave popcorn products "in
the near future."
Pop Weaver, another large microwave popcorn producer, has
already taken Diacetyl out of its popcorn bags "because of consumer
concerns" but not because the company believes the chemical is unsafe
for consumers, said Cathy Yingling, a company spokeswoman.
On June 13, 2007, legislation was introduced in the
House of Representatives that would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an interim standard to protect workers
from exposure to Diacetyl, and to introduce a permanent standard within
two years.
If you or someone you care about believes that Diacetyl
exposure has caused Bronchiolitis Obliterans (Popcorn
Lung), please fill out our Case Review Contact Form to
the right on this page for a free consultation to find
out what your case may be worth.
