EPA Studies Chemicals Emitted From Microwave Popcorn Linked to Lung Disease [POPCORN ALERT]

AP ^ | Mar. 10, 2004

[nuconvert]

EPA Studies Chemicals Emitted From Microwave Popcorn Linked to Lung Disease

Mar 11, 2004

By Connie Farrow/ Associated Press Writer

The Environmental Protection Agency is studying the chemicals released into the air when a bag of microwave popcorn is popped or opened. Exposure to vapors from butter flavoring in microwave popcorn has been linked to a rare lung disease contracted by factory workers in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has said it suspects the chemical diacetyl caused the illnesses.

However, health officials insist people who microwave popcorn and eat it at home are not in danger.

In the first direct study of chemicals contained in one of the nation's most popular snack foods, the EPA's Indoor Environment Management Branch at Research Triangle Park, N.C., is examining the type and amount of chemicals emitted from microwave popcorn bags.

Further research would be needed to determine any health effects of those chemicals and whether consumers are at risk, said Jacky Rosati, an EPA scientist involved in the study.

"Once we know what chemicals are and the amounts, somebody else can look at the health effects," Rosati said Wednesday.

About 50 brands, batches and flavors of microwave popcorn - from super-buttery to sugary sweet "kettle corn" - are being tested, she said.

"Obviously, we are looking at diacetyl because it is a known compound that will come off this popcorn. But we're not looking at that alone," Rosati said.

The EPA study began last fall and is expected to be completed this year. It likely will be submitted for peer review before being made public, Thompson said.

Rosati started the study after hearing a presentation on popcorn workers who became sick at the Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. plant in Jasper, Mo.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has linked diacetyl to the respiratory illnesses found in workers who mix the microwave popcorn flavorings. Investigators believe the chemical becomes hazardous when it is heated and there is repeated exposure to large quantities over a long time.

Thirty former workers at the Jasper plant have suing two butter flavoring manufacturers.

The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association based in Washington, D.C., said the flavor ingredients in microwave popcorn pose no threat to consumers.

The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food additives, also considers butter flavoring to be safe for consumer use.

"I haven't seen anything that would give us any reason to suspect this is something we should make a high priority," said George Pauli, acting director of the FDA's office of food additive safety.

United States consumers bought $1.33 billion worth of microwave popcorn in 2000, said Ann Wilkes, spokeswoman for the Snack Food Association.

[Damocles]

Sell popcorn stocks short...people panic at anything...

[ladtx]

Hope they outlaw the buttery flavoring on microwave popcorn. It's got to be one of the most obnoxious odors going.

[kahoutek]

We're DOOOOOOMED!!!!!!!

(Ya beat me by a minute......)

[fortunecookie]

Amen to that! That smell is heinous, and lingers long after the popcorn has been consumed.

[general_re]

Hope they outlaw the buttery flavoring on microwave popcorn.

Personally, that never bothered me as much as the fecal grease they have on tap at the movie theater - that stuff is truly foul.

[Final Authority]

Now the liberal commie lawyers have some reason to sue the Boy Scouts for, distributing defective products. That will be the next headline.

[sockmonkey]

(cough, cough). Is there a trial lawyer in the house?
I would like to buy a vacation home in San Miguel. er, I mean, I think i'm suffering from microwave myselthelioma.

[nuconvert]

LOL

In a word...SELL

[John W]

Saw this earlier on the wires.Does anyone find the "rare ling disease" named in the article anywhere?

[nuconvert]

No. The writer either couldn't spell it, or forgot what it was called.

[nuconvert]

I made some 2 nights ago.
My house still smells.
New microwave popcorn ban in affect.

[GailA]

another alar scam

[Ancesthntr]

I suggest the EPA jackasses spend more time and money studying the real threat to our society's health: the fetid fumes emanating from the pieholes of bloviating bureaucrats. They need not go very far to collect numerous samples - they only have to start the study within their own ranks. That ought to keep them busy for a few years, years in which the rest of the country can live free and prosper without the unwarranted interference of this bunch of do-gooder blissninnies.

[John W]

From a more detailed story at link below---

The workers in the Missouri lawsuit say they suffered various respiratory illnesses from breathing butter flavor vapors. At least eight have been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare and incurable lung disease. Several are on waiting lists for lung transplants.


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/Science+&+Medicine/481A61AFE387429586256E4F002876E2?OpenDocument&Headline=EPA+studies+microwave+popcorn+chemicals

[fortunecookie]

It lingers and travels about the house like that malevolent smell in Seinfeld's car.

I don't make it too often anymore. Now I make it the old-fashioned way, on the stovetop with a little oil.

The wierd part is when you try to heat up something the next day, all you get is the acrid, greasy popcorn smell. And I always clean off the inside surfaces of the microwave right after it cools from making the popcorn, and once is not usually enough. Ick. (And when the 'aroma' gets in your hair... )

[nuconvert]

Thanks a lot for the link and info.

Wasn't familiar with bronchiolitis obliterans, so I went to my Merck (which is 20 yrs old). Wasn't in there.
Have to check internet later.

[nuconvert]

Lol.
You mean it's an "entity"?

[fortunecookie]

Ping!

[Core_Conservative]

on the stove-top with a little oil

We used to have a special pot to make popcorn in when I was growing up. Then I left home and no pot. I love the smell of Microwave popcorn - especially the extra butter. I have found another pot to make popcorn in - and it does a great job - it's called a wok. Got one of those hand hammered woks with a cover - works great. (Can even add the butter in at the same time)

[fortunecookie]

Hee hee. I do believe so. Just wander to a part of your house 2 or 3 days later, and - poof! - it's lingering, more acrid than before, waiting to assault your nostrils and cling to your hair. We jokingly refer to it being an entity, having a 'life' of it's own.

[mhking]

Prosecute that eeeeeeevil Orville Bedenrocker, I tell ya!

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Petronski]

I love the way the microwave butter popcorn tastes, but seriously, WHAT is IN that 'STUFF' in microwave popcorn? How can that smell be so saturating? And, heaven forbid the microwave popcorn get scorched: that can linger for weeks.

[Petronski]

I think the very best popcorn going comes out of a wrought-iron kettle. We had one when I was growing up, and that stuff was fabulous. Peanut oil is best, with a little butter for flavor.

Then, a snowstorm of salt. Mmmm.

[lewislynn]

I can't stand to be in the same room with that "butter flavor" shit.

[xsmommy]

It is my firm belief that federal legislation is needed to provide benefits to those who suffer from POPCORNIOSIS.

[BSunday]

Sue the evil popcorn industry

[Fiddlstix]

Good Grief!

[farmfriend]

We are all gonna die!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[tertiary01]

I would like to know how many times buildings have had to be evacuated because a burnt package of over-microwaved popcorn set off the fire alarms. It has happened in areas I've worked in at least five times. Once we had to evacuate a building housing over 200 inmates, because someone accidently set the employee microwave to 50 minutes instead of five, and filled the building full of acrid burnt butter popcorn smell.

[xJones]

(cough, cough). Is there a trial lawyer in the house?

Not in this house or any other one. They're probably all out snarling like angry hyenas at each other for popcorn lawsuit clients.

[lockjaw02]

(ping)

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

I found this this morning only to find I was beaten to it. One certainly doesn't want to eat this the same day as a McSalad.

[CSM]

Ha, ha. I tried to get the microwaves banned in our offices because the smell of microwave popcorn is annoying to me. Why not, the same argument was told to me when our resident smoke gnatzie walked by me outside. They banned smoking in certain areas outside to please their nostriles. Let's ban this stuff to please mine!

[Calamari]

Other things to worry about

Adding microwave popcorn for future inclusion.

[missyme]

I love Orville Redenbachers' Low fat Miro POPCORN!

This majorly sucks!

[nuconvert]

Happy to help

[Just another Joe]

Investigators believe the chemical becomes hazardous when it is heated and there is repeated exposure to large quantities over a long time.

However, health officials insist people who microwave popcorn and eat it at home are not in danger.

Soooo, it IS the dose that makes the poison!

[Mears]

Another study to ignore as far as I'm concerned.In a short time another study will probably show that microwaving popcorn is good for you.

Ignore all studies!!!!!

[Old Professer]

And it's a crying shame that you're forced to breathe it all day long, right?

[ladtx]

One whiff is enough to last a lifetime.

[Old Professer]

This is from a Google search:

Toxic Fume Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Toxic fume bronchiolitis obliterans results from exposure to nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other agents that cause a spectrum of symptoms from mild nasal and throat irritation to immediate asphyxiation and death. Mild symptoms usually resolve without residual effects. The irreversible stage of bronchiolitis obliterans begins with a latent period of no respiratory symptoms for several hours after exposure followed by diffuse alveolar damage and respiratory failure four to six hours later. If recovery occurs, in one to three weeks, some patients then develop irreversible airflow obstruction due to constrictive bronchiolitis with an extensive obliterative component. This is a late lesion and lung biopsy shows irreversible scarring of the bronchioles. At this stage, the findings are identical to idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans, early inspiratory crackles, a radiograph that is normal or shows hyperinflation and airflow obstruction.

The use of potentially toxic chemicals in manufacturing processes is increasing through out the world resulting in an increased possibility of exposed workers developing bronchiolar disorders. For example, two workers in a lithium battery factory were accidentally exposed to thionyl-cholride, and one of them developed a prolonged clinical course and findings consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans (41). This acidic compound is used in the manufacturing process and produces SO2 and HCL fumes when in contact with water.

A 1992 study of 20 patients with silo filler's disease in New York (42) confirmed that the irreversible constrictive bronchiolitis lesion is rare; however, the mortality from the acute process remains high, 20 percent died within the first 24 hours from acute alveolar injury and massive pulmonary edema. Among these 20 patients, exposures occurred during September and October, and corn silage was the exposure source in 90 percent. All were young men with an average age of 32 years. Dyspnea was the most common symptom; two of the 16 survivors had persistent respiratory complaints. One patient presented with delayed onset bronchiolitis. This patient became ill in November with five days of fever and progressive dyspnea and a chest radiograph that showed bilateral small nodular opacities. Six weeks previously, he had entered a silo the day after it was filled with corn silage. After three or four breaths, he was nearly overcome, climbed out of the silo and had moderate shortness of breath for several days. He was treated successfully with corticosteroid therapy and had no residual radiographic or clinical effects.

A possible occurrence of bronchiolitis obliterans was described in a 39 year-old truck driver who delivered fly ash and developed acute respiratory failure requiring hospitalization (43). The chest radiograph showed bilateral infiltrates, and this episode rapidly improved with corticosteroid therapy. After two weeks, he returned with significant dyspnea. The vital capacity was normal at 5.44 liters (102% predicted), but the FEV1 was decreased to 2.13 liters (52% predicted) and the FEV1/FVC ratio was severely decreased to 39 percent. It was not known whether the direct effect of the fly ash particles, or whether toxic agents such as nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide adsorbed to the fly ash particle caused the injury.

Smoke inhalation bronchiolitis obliterans was described in a 23 year-old man who was in a fire while sleeping in his newly constructed house (44). He was unconscious when rescued. He had black sputum production containing soot. There was cough and mild dyspnea after recovery; however, he returned three years later because of persistent dyspnea. He had finger clubbing, an FEV1 of 0.90 liters, and an FEV1/FVC of 34 percent. Transbronchial biopsy showed chronic inflammatory changes in the bronchioles. The synthetic structural materials utilized to build his house produced gases that contained acrolain, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, NO2, and SO2 when burned. ....................................END....................

The name itself means the destruction of the bronchioles; quite a serious condition but a very low-incidence presentation.

This part from above shows how much air the patient could suck in and little he could blow back out:

After two weeks, he returned with significant dyspnea. The vital capacity was normal at 5.44 liters (102% predicted), but the FEV1 was decreased to 2.13 liters (52% predicted)

This what makes this type of lung disease so serious even when not fatal. Needs further study.

[Old Professer]

It is noisome; I prefer to pop it dry and then coat it with melted butter, the real stuff.

[ladtx]

We purchased a jar of coconut oil a while back just for popping popcorn. Makes the house smell like the old time movie theater before the food police came along gunning for coconut oil and chased it out of the theaters.

[Old Professer]

Saturday matinees with Tom Mix, Looney Tunes and my grandma; what a life for a 5 year-old boy with his daddy at home and a war millions of miles away - 1945.

[John W]

Popcorn Worker Awarded $20 Million in Lung Damage Lawsuit

By Connie Farrow Associated Press Writer
Published: Mar 15, 2004
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A factory worker who claimed his lungs were ruined as a result of mixing flavoring oils used in microwave popcorn was awarded $20 million by a jury Monday.
Eric Peoples, 32, was the first of 30 former workers at the Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. plant in Jasper to have his suit heard against the two makers of the butter flavoring. Following a morning of closing arguments, the jury deliberated for a little more than three hours before returning the verdict.

Peoples cried and hugged his wife, Cassandra, as the jury ruled against International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. and its subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc., the manufacturers of the flavoring. They were ordered to pay $18 million to Eric Peoples and $2 million to his wife for compensatory personal injury damages.

"We're relieved that it's over and our lives can get back to as normal as they can be," Eric Peoples said. "At least for now, we'll be able to spoil our children and let them forget for a while."

Trial testimony showed if Peoples' health remains stable, he could wait at least 10 years for a needed double-lung transplant; life expectancy of a lung transplant recipient is about 10 years.

"Eric feels like he's in prison," McClain told jurors. "He's going to eventually go through the physical pain of a lung transplant, knowing that he's going back to prison again because he'll eventually get lung disease again."

The attorneys for the manufacturers left the courthouse without speaking to reporters.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health also has linked exposure to vapors from butter flavoring to lung disease in popcorn factory workers Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.

Peoples' attorney, Ken McClain, said his next case in Jasper County is set for April 20. He also has cases pending in Illinois and Iowa.

"I want to keep the pressure up and get these cases done as soon as we can," McClain said.

Health officials insist people who microwave popcorn and eat it at home are not in danger, although the Environmental Protection Agency is studying the chemicals released into the air when a bag of microwave popcorn is popped.

Peoples' suit charged that International Flavors and Fragrances and Bush Boake Allen knew their butter flavoring was hazardous, but failed to warn the southwest Missouri plant and its workers of the dangers or provide adequate safety instructions.

During their closing, attorneys for the two corporations told jurors their product is safe when handled properly. Information sent to popcorn plant officials warned the flavoring should be mixed in a well ventilated area and a respirator should be worn when heating it.

"We know beyond a shadow of doubt that if you use basic hygiene practices, you don't have a problem in this plant," said attorney Mike Patton, who represents New York-based International Flavors and Fragrances.

Gilster-Mary Lee, which was not named in the suit, remodeled the plant after government investigators in 2001 linked a chemical in the butter flavoring, diacetyl, to the workers' illnesses. There have been no reports of illness since the ventilation was improved and workers began wearing respirators, Patton said.

[nuconvert]

Thanks for the update.

Only 32. Boy. Wonder how long he worked there?

Attorney, Ken McClain is raking in the dough.