NIOSH Draft Recommends Limiting Diacetyl Exposure, Warns of Substitute

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal health officials are recommending that popcorn workers and others be exposed to no more than an average of 5 parts per billion of diacetyl during a 40-hour work week to lessen their chances of developing bronchiolitis obliterans and other lung problems associated with such exposure.

That recommendation is included in a draft review entitled "Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and 2,3-Penanedione" that was circulated for public comment until Nov. 18.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health noted that studies have measured air concentrations in popcorn facilities at levels consistently higher than those proposed in the …