Diacetyl
Diacetyl comes as either a liquid or a powder, ranging from a yellow to greenish color, and is found in a variety of foods and beverages like beer, wine, and butterscotch flavoring. Most commonly, however, Diacetyl is used for the butter flavoring in microwave popcorn.
On July 26th, 2006, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was petitioned by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union to issue an emergency order that would impose a standard to protect workers from exposure to Diacetyl. This was a result of a high number of workers that developed a debilitating lung disease known as bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung”, and other respiratory diseases as a result of exposure to Diacetyl. Bronchiolitis Obliterans is a life threatening, non reversible obstructive, in which the bronchioles are compressed and narrowed by fibrosis and inflammation.
The United States House of Representatives passed the Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act on September 26, 2007, which forced OSHA to protect workers from Diacetyl by setting new workplace standards. One lawsuit involving Diacetyl exposure and popcorn lung resulted in a $20 million dollar verdict for the victim. Another one yielded $7 million. There have been many, many other multimillion dollar Diacetyl lawsuits. Many workers exposed to Diacetyl require extreme, double lung transplants. Others live with severe disability and pain. The New York Times reported, on September 25, 2007, reported that a consumer may have developed popcorn long simply as a result of heavy consumption of microwave popcorn. Heated Diacetyl, like the steam from a popcorn bag freshly popped and out of the microwave, is the most dangerous kind of Diacetyl exposure. Some microwave popcorn makers have promised to stop using Diacetyl in their butter flavoring.
The exposure to Diacetyl can lead to:
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
- Serious, life-threatening respiratory illness
Direct exposure to Diacetyl can:
- Cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat
Symptoms of bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung) can include:
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath, especially in exertion
- Wheezing and fatigue absent a cold or asthma
Symptoms of bronchiolitis obliterans can start gradually or, in more severe symptoms, rapidly but usually within two to eight weeks after exposure.
AttorneyOne.com is a free nationwide legal referral service. We are not a law firm. We help consumers find the best representation for their legal needs. If you or a loved one are in need of legal assistance concerning Diacetyl you should get a lawyer on your side immediately. You will pay no attorney fees unless you win your case. Email up to 10 Diacetyl law firms in one click; by filling out the simple Free Case Evaluation form. For additional info on Diacetyl use the practice area links on the far right.
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[...] New Lawsuit filed on Diacetyl Lung Disease: Severe Adverse Events May 28, 2012 According to court documents, on May 15th, 2012, several coffee production plant workers filed a lawsuit in the Texas Eastern District Court (case no. 6:2012cv00327) claiming that they are suffering from lung disease as a result of exposure to Diacetyl. Diacetyl is a chemical found in a variety of foods and beverages and, most commonly, used for the butter flavoring in microwave popcorn. Another worker, disabled by exposure to Diacetyl, was awarded $30.4 million by the jury in Gerardo Solis v. BASF Corp. case (number: 2006-L-012105) in Cook County Ill Circuit Court, in August 2010. Now, AttorneyOne.com, a recognized authority on law, can provide helpful, proven advice and simple solutions including how to get in contact with legal counsel so anyone can easily and inexpensively deal with cases of Diacetyl severe adverse events. http://www.attorneyone.com/diacetyl/. [...]
[...] According to court documents, on May 15th, 2012, several coffee production plant workers filed a lawsuit in the Texas Eastern District Court (case no. 6:2012cv00327) claiming that they are suffering from lung disease as a result of exposure to Diacetyl. Diacetyl is a chemical found in a variety of foods and beverages and, most commonly, used for the butter flavoring in microwave popcorn. Another worker, disabled by exposure to Diacetyl, was awarded .4 million by the jury in Gerardo Solis v. BASF Corp. case (number: 2006-L-012105) in Cook County Ill Circuit Court, in August 2010. Now, AttorneyOne.com, a recognized authority on law, can provide helpful, proven advice and simple solutions including how to get in contact with legal counsel so anyone can easily and inexpensively deal with cases of Diacetyl severe adverse events. http://www.attorneyone.com/diacetyl/. [...]
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[...] Diacetyl “Popcorn Lung” Lawsuit Resolved: Now, AttorneyOne Can Provide Advice January 22, 2013 As the Indianapolis Business Journal published on December 26th, 2012, Sensient Flavors reached a settlement with state regulators to pay a smaller fine in exchange for agreeing to reduce the amount of Diacetyl used at its Indianapolis plant. In light of these news, AttorneyOne, a recognized authority on law, informs that they are now providing advice, including how to get in contact with legal counsel, to people potentially affected by Diacetyl side effects. http://www.attorneyone.com/diacetyl/ [...]