Fwd: Microwave Popcorn and Lung Illness

[Guest guest]

" luckypig "

Mon, 24 Nov 2003 22:43:34 -0500

Microwave popcorn and Lung

 

 

>

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1065783327158

220.xml

>

> Lung illness linked to popcorn plant air

>

> 10/10/03

>

> Associated Press

>

> Marion, Ohio- Several employees of a microwave-popcorn

> plant have shown symptoms of lung disease, leading

> federal health investigators to recommend that

> respirators be provided to prevent workers from

> breathing chemicals used in butter flavorings.

>

> Abnormal lung function was found in 29 of the workers

> at the ConAgra Snack Foods Group who volunteered to be

> tested, according to a report by the National

> Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a

> division of the Centers for Disease Control and

> Prevention.

>

> Investigators said in the report, dated last week,

> that those workers had " evidence of lung disease of

> the same type seen in workers who mix oil and

> flavorings in other microwave-popcorn plants. "

>

> About 65 percent of the 205 employees at the plant 42

> miles north of Columbus took part in the tests.

>

> The company already has complied with some recommended

> changes, including providing res pirators for some

> employees and reducing the amount of ingredients in

> the air, plant spokesman Bob McKeon said yesterday.

>

> " We believe that our microwave-popcorn is completely

> safe to manufacture, supply and consume, " McKeon said.

>

>

> The investigation found abnormally high levels of

> shortness of breath in young workers, both smokers and

> nonsmokers alike, and of asthma in young nonsmokers.

>

> " Seventy-two percent of those people smoke, " McKeon

> said. " You know, smoking might have something to do

> with this. "

>

> Among recommendations in the report was that ConAgra

> develop a smoking-cessation program for its workers.

>

> The investigation began nine months after the CDC

> issued a report detailing serious lung disease in

> workers at a Jasper, Mo., popcorn plant owned by

> another company.

>

> Investigators' main concern is a chemical called

> diacetyl that, when combined with other flavoring

> ingredients, has been shown to be toxic in animals,

> according to the agency.

>

>

 

 

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