OSHA Acts to Speed Regulation of Popcorn-Flavoring Chemical

[Omaha Steve]

http://safety.blr.com/news.aspx?id=112853

April 10, 2009
OSHA Acts to Speed Regulation of Popcorn-Flavoring Chemical
Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Hilda L. Solis has taken steps intended to fast-track regulation of occupational exposure to food flavorings containing the chemical diacetyl.

The action, withdrawal of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), could take as much as 2 years off the timetable for setting a standard.

In a press release, DOL said it intends to hasten OSHA's development of a standard to protect workers from the disease bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as "popcorn lung." The condition is associated with exposure to the chemical diacetyl, which has been used in butter flavoring for popcorn.

"I am alarmed that workers exposed to food flavorings containing diacetyl may continue to be at risk of developing a potentially fatal lung disease," said Solis, adding that exposure had been linked to the deaths of three workers.

She stated that it is "imperative that the labor department move quickly to address exposure to food flavorings containing diacetyl and eliminate unnecessary steps without affecting the public's ability to comment on the rulemaking process."

FULL story at link.