Whistlingjack
Dipl. Braumeister VLB, Berlin
- Joined
- 19/4/06
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I have seen some references to the condition called "popcorn lung", so be careful when you serve diacetyl-laden beers from your tap... 
Popcorn addict sues over popcorn lung
16th January 2008, 18:00 WST
An American man believed to be the only consumer to develop the ailment called popcorn lung from regular servings of microwave popcorn has filed a lawsuit claiming injury from the artificial butter flavouring that previously sickened only popcorn factory workers.
Wayne Watsons case of popcorn lung and his two-bags-a-day diet gained attention last year when doctors diagnosed him with the rare lung condition that has been linked to the flavour chemical diacetyl.
Popcorn lung, officially called bronchiolitis obliterans, generally has been associated with people who worked in microwave popcorn plants mixing large vats of flavours. Hundreds of workers have said they have severe lung disease or other respiratory illnesses from inhaling diacetyl vapours.
The chemical has been the subject of hundreds of lawsuits against the companies that produce or use the butter flavouring.
Watson is suing the store where he bought his popcorn instead.
Watsons lawyer, Kenneth McClain, said the lawsuit filed in US District Court names The Kroger Co and two of its divisions: grocery store King Soopers parent company, Dillon Companies, and food distributor Inter-American Products.
A spokeswoman for Kroger said the company does not comment on lawsuits.
Diacetyl is a naturally occurring chemical compound that gives butter its flavour. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a flavour ingredient.
After workers became ill, new workplace standards were developed that isolated microwaves from workers testing popcorn bags coming off the manufacturing line.
Last month, the United States four biggest makers of microwave popcorn announced they were reformulating their recipes to remove the chemical from nearly all their products.
Dr Cecile Rose, a lung specialist at National Jewish, diagnosed Watson with popcorn lung. She said in September that there was no certain link between Watsons copious popcorn servings and the disease, but she said the possibility raises concern.
An investigation by the hospital found factory workers were exposed to diacetyl levels between 0.75 and 4 parts per million. Tests in Watsons kitchen where the microwave would vent and where he would open popcorn bags showed levels between 0.5 and 3 parts per million, according to the hospital.
Link to the article
WJ
Popcorn addict sues over popcorn lung
16th January 2008, 18:00 WST
An American man believed to be the only consumer to develop the ailment called popcorn lung from regular servings of microwave popcorn has filed a lawsuit claiming injury from the artificial butter flavouring that previously sickened only popcorn factory workers.
Wayne Watsons case of popcorn lung and his two-bags-a-day diet gained attention last year when doctors diagnosed him with the rare lung condition that has been linked to the flavour chemical diacetyl.
Popcorn lung, officially called bronchiolitis obliterans, generally has been associated with people who worked in microwave popcorn plants mixing large vats of flavours. Hundreds of workers have said they have severe lung disease or other respiratory illnesses from inhaling diacetyl vapours.
The chemical has been the subject of hundreds of lawsuits against the companies that produce or use the butter flavouring.
Watson is suing the store where he bought his popcorn instead.
Watsons lawyer, Kenneth McClain, said the lawsuit filed in US District Court names The Kroger Co and two of its divisions: grocery store King Soopers parent company, Dillon Companies, and food distributor Inter-American Products.
A spokeswoman for Kroger said the company does not comment on lawsuits.
Diacetyl is a naturally occurring chemical compound that gives butter its flavour. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a flavour ingredient.
After workers became ill, new workplace standards were developed that isolated microwaves from workers testing popcorn bags coming off the manufacturing line.
Last month, the United States four biggest makers of microwave popcorn announced they were reformulating their recipes to remove the chemical from nearly all their products.
Dr Cecile Rose, a lung specialist at National Jewish, diagnosed Watson with popcorn lung. She said in September that there was no certain link between Watsons copious popcorn servings and the disease, but she said the possibility raises concern.
An investigation by the hospital found factory workers were exposed to diacetyl levels between 0.75 and 4 parts per million. Tests in Watsons kitchen where the microwave would vent and where he would open popcorn bags showed levels between 0.5 and 3 parts per million, according to the hospital.
Link to the article
WJ
