Is That Buttery Popcorn Taking Your Breath Away?

Environmental News Network

Feel like spending a lazy Friday night watching DVD's and eating microwave popcorn instead of getting dolled up and hitting the town? Well, slouching on the sofa may be more relaxing than the club scene, but you may want to rethink your snack of choice.

It seems the fumes from nuking your kernels can cause a nasty little lung disease commonly referred to as "popcorn lung." The disease is caused by exposure to diacetyl, a chemical used to make the buttery flavoring. For years, factory workers who have been exposed to this chemical have been getting sick, some even dying, while little has been done by their employers or the government to protect them.

In July, Dr. Cecile Rose, chief occupational and environmental health physician at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, CO, wrote of a patient who may have developed the disease from microwaving popcorn in his home several times a day. This has been the first known case of someone developing the disease who wasn't exposed through occupation.

As a result of Dr. Rose's findings, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association is recommending that its members reduce the amount of diacetyl in their butter flavorings. Also, at least two popcorn manufacturers, ConAgra and Pop Weaver, have said that they would stop using diacetyl completely.

Great, so now we can all breathe a sigh of relief, assured that we will soon be able to buy "safe" fake-butter flavored popcorn if we're diligent about reading labels.

But isn't this all a bit too late? Shouldn't ConAgra and Pop Weaver and OSHA and the FDA and a whole lot of other people acted when the first workers started getting sick?

The Pump Handle has been keeping track of the whole story and has a lot more to say about where the government dropped the ball.