| Publication Date |
2001 |
| Personal Author |
Gomaa, A.; Kullman, G.; Fedan, K.; Enright, P.; Schleiff, P. |
| Page Count |
52 |
| Abstract |
Nine former workers from a microwave popcorn packaging plant were reported to have a severe lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, but no recognized causes of this rare condition were evident in the plant. At the request of the Missouri Department of Health, staff of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have investigated exposures and health outcomes at the company. Industrial hygiene assessments divided the plant into four work areas based on anticipated exposure levels to dust and volatile organic chemicals from artificial butter flavorings. Respirable dust concentrations from salt dumping operations were about 10-fold higher in the area in which flavorings were mixed compared to the office and outdoor work areas. Diacetyl, the predominant ketone in the plant, was present in concentrations 17 times higher in the mixing area compared to the microwave packaging area, 100 times higher compared to the warehouse and polyethylene packaging area, and 1000 times higher compared to the office and outdoor areas. |
| Keywords |
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| Source Agency |
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| Corporate Authors |
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Rockville, MD.; Missouri Dept. of Health, Jefferson City. Environmental Public Health |
| Supplemental Notes |
Prepared in cooperation with Missouri Dept. of Health, Jefferson City. Environmental Public Health Section. |
| Document Type |
Technical Report |
| Title Note |
Interim rept. |
| NTIS Issue Number |
200311 |
