Dangerous Products – Popcorn Lung Illness

Continuing our series of dangerous products articles we will write about and example of another form of dangerous product – vapors, dusts and sprays. During the manufacturing of food products the flavorings used in these products often undergo various chemical reactions and the worked at the factories can be affected by various chemicals that come free during this process. Recent researches showed that there is a significant release of harmful chemical vapors at microwave popcorn packaging plants, that causes severe lung diseases like bronchiolitis obliterans, an uncommon lung disease characterized by fixed airway obstruction. The responsible chemical is called diacetyl and it can be found in butter flavoring mixtures. In 2007 a number of microwave popcorn manufacturers confirmed that they are trying to remove diacetyl from their products. The same year ABC News reported about the first known case of bronchiolitis obliterans in a consumer who ate large quantities of microwave popcorn. Bronchiolitis obliterans is also called popcorn lung, so the disease was labeled Popcorn Lung Disease.

Today there are many ways to prevent and eliminate the diacetyl exposure. In the United States there is a list of recommendations for the workers and manufacturers to prevent hazardous exposure to flavoring chemicals. The manufacturers are recommended to substitute diacetyl with less hazardous chemicals, or chemicals that produce less volatile chemicals or respirable powders into the air. Engineering control in form of eliminating work with open containers and providing better technical working conditions. For example creating more advanced ventilation systems, temperature controls to minimize the emissions of volatile chemicals into the air and isolate processes wherein flavorings and their ingredients are openly handled. Administrative Controls is also highly recommended. Employers can establish and enforce work practices that limit the release of chemicals and dust into the air when flavoring ingredients are handled. It means that the containers with unused or residual amounts of these chemicals must be sealed and kept in safe and secure places. Within Employer and Worker Education, workers should be informed about everything related to production hazards, like materials that contain flavoring agents, the nature of their hazards, and any symptoms that may result due to exposure. This information can be provided to workers by different means through workplace postings, container labeling, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), and training. Monitoring of the exposure of diacetyl must be measured by special experts, it will help to determine the current hazards level and to see if the new engineering or administrative controls are effective. And finally monitoring of the workers health and providing them with additional protective equipment, like skin and eye protection and respiratory protection equipment.

While most of the dangerous products are connected with controversies and scandals, in the case of diacetyl everything is clear and the companies are working together with the government to prevent lung diseases among workers.  Still with numerous possibilities to prevent illness and diseases, there is also a way to make a claim if you were affected by diacetyl. So feel free to contact your lawyer and local health organizations.

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