- (AP) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is studying
the chemicals released into the air when a bag of microwave popcorn is
popped or opened.
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- Exposure to vapours from butter flavouring in microwave
popcorn has been linked to a rare lung disease contracted by factory workers
in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health has said it suspects the chemical diacetyl caused the
illnesses.
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- However, health officials insist people who microwave
popcorn and eat it at home are not in danger.
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- In the first direct study of chemicals contained in the
popular snack food, the EPA is examining the type and amount of chemicals
emitted from microwave popcorn bags.
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- Further research would be needed to determine any health
effects of those chemicals and whether consumers are at risk, said Jacky
Rosati, a scientist involved in the study, which is being conducted at
the EPA's Indoor Environment Management Branch at Research Triangle Park,
N.C.
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- "Once we know what chemicals are and the amounts,
somebody else can look at the health effects," Ms. Rosati said Wednesday.
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- About 50 brands, batches and flavours of microwave popcorn
- from super-buttery to sugary sweet kettle corn - are being tested, she
said.
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- "Obviously, we are looking at diacetyl because it
is a known compound that will come off this popcorn," Ms. Rosati added.
"But we're not looking at that alone."
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- The EPA study began last fall and is expected to be completed
this year. It likely will be submitted for peer review before being made
public.
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- Ms. Rosati started the study after hearing a presentation
on popcorn workers who became sick at the Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. plant
in Jasper, Mo.
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- The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health has linked diacetyl to the respiratory illnesses found in workers
who mix the microwave popcorn flavourings. Investigators believe the chemical
becomes hazardous when it is heated and there is repeated exposure to large
quantities over a long time.
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- The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, based
in Washington, D.C., said the flavour ingredients in microwave popcorn
pose no threat to consumers.
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- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates
food additives, also considers butter flavouring safe for consumer use.
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- "I haven't seen anything that would give us any
reason to suspect this is something we should make a high priority,"
said George Pauli, acting director of the FDA's office of food additive
safety.
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