Bronchiolitis obliterans is a potentially fatal disease that is being spread among workers of the nation through contact with simple, everyday objects such as popcorn and candy. The disease has been linked directly to diactyl, a substance artifically manufactured as a less expensive m
eans of enhancing flavor or mimicing the taste of butter. In popcorn plants, at least 200 have fallen sick to this exposure and three are known to have died from the lung disease now associated with food flavoring.
The disease bronchiolitis obliterans causes inflammation and often obstruction in the small airways of the lung through rapid thickening from scarring. The condition is irreversible, and progresses until the system is shut down. A lung transplant is generally required upon contracting this disease. Cases have been found in other plants such as a North Carolina potato chip plant, a Balitmore flavoring company, and a Cincinnati flavoring plant. Dr. Kathleen Kreiss, chief of the field studies branch of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health said of the cases, “Now we’ve got cases of bronchiolitis obliterans among works in other plants that use flavorings and in plants that make the flavorings…. We need to get into some of these plants becasue we don’t have confidence that the flavoring industry has taken steps to actually prevent this disease, and we need to determine how widespread the exposure may be.”
Over 150 former popcorn plant workers have sued those companies which supply or distribute food flavorings, and more than $100 million has been awarded in jury verdicts or paid in settlements. 30 suits are still pending.
