Workers Exposed To Diacetyl Are at Risk for Rare Lung Disease
Diacetyl is a byproduct of fermentation, and is used in some foods to provide a buttery flavor.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has suggested that diacetyl, when used as an artificial butter flavor in foods, may be extremely harmful if inhaled over a long period. Awareness of this potential risk arose after claims were made by workers in popcorn factories that exposure to diacetyl resulted in their diagnosis of a rare and serious disease of the lungs called bronchioloitis obliterans. There are no known cures for this disease except for lung transplantation.
There have been several large awards to workers who had been exposed to diacetyl and developed lung injuries, including a $20 million award to a former microwave popcorn plant worker and an award of $2.7 million to another worker for diacetyl-induced respiratory problems.
If you or a family member has developed bronchioloitis obliterans or other serious lung disease as a result of exposure to diacetyl, please contact the law firm of Skikos, Crawford, Skikos, Joseph & Millican for a free evaluation of your case.
