Occupational Diseases: Putting an End to Lethal Popcorn Flavoring

U.S. Newswire reports that the United Food and Commercial Workers' Union, Western States Council and the California Labor Federation petitioned the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to immediately issue an Emergency Temporary Standard for diacetyl. Diacetyl is a deadly chemical present in flavorings.

Diacetyl has been linked to a potentially deadly lung disease that has been observed in food industry workers across the US. The condition, bronchiolitis obliterans, also called "popcorn workers' lung," has been observed in factory workers who handle and produce diacetyl. Several California food industry employees have developed lung problems after exposure to the chemical. No OSHA standards yet regulate diacetyl exposure, though the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services both agree there is plenty of evidence for OSHA to put regulations into place.