One of America's favorite snack foods - popcorn - is at the center of a national health controversy. The chemical diacetyl, used to make artificial butter flavoring, has been linked to a respiratory disease called "popcorn lung" in hundreds of people. Labor unions and prominent occupational health scientists are calling on federal authorities to set an emergency standard for the chemical in the workplace. Living on Earth host Bruce Gellerman has our report.
I seen this on the news this morning,and it is something to think about if you eat alot of microwave popcorn,or let your children eat it alot.
It is lung illness caused by the ingredients in the artificial butter flavoring.
Some people that work in the factory where microwave popcorn is made have contacted this lung illness,and they interviewed a man who had been found to have this illness. He does not work in the factory but eats alot of popcorn.
From what was said on the news, this illness can damage the lungs,and cause death.
The artificial butter flavor is in many things we buy. Butter flavored cake mix,plus many other things.
If you are concerned about this,and want to know more there is a little bit about it on you tube,and on the internet under popcorn lung.
Dixie
