A proposal for a safe exposure level for diacetyl

Diacetyl is a naturally occurring compound that has been used in concentrated form as a food additive, particularly in butter flavorings. Inhalation of diacetyl and butter flavoring fumes has caused a variety of respiratory diseases in workers and consumers including bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a relatively rare, severe, and irreversible lung disease. A safe level of exposure to diacetyl has not been established. We review the literature on diacetyl and flavoring toxicity and critique a recent proposal for an occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 0.2 ppm for diacetyl. We present unpublished data and novel analyses in support of our proposal for a safe level of exposure. Our findings indicate that a safe level of exposure exists around or below a time-weighted average of 1 ppb for an eight-hour workday. The levels of exposure we found to be unsafe include ranges that popcorn consumers may potentially be exposed to, indicating a risk of severe lung disease (including BO) for some consumers.     

A Proposal for a Safe Exposure Level for Diacetyl

Abstract

Diacetyl is a naturally occurring compound that has been used in concentrated form as a food additive, particularly in butter flavorings. Inhalation of diacetyl and butter flavoring fumes has caused a variety of respiratory diseases in workers and consumers including bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), a relatively rare, severe, and irreversible lung disease. A safe level of exposure to diacetyl has not been established. We review the literature on diacetyl and flavoring toxicity and critique a recent proposal for an occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 0.2 ppm for diacetyl. We present unpublished data and novel analyses in support of our proposal for a safe level of exposure. Our findings indicate that a safe level of exposure exists around or below a time-weighted average of 1 ppb for an eight-hour workday. The levels of exposure we found to be unsafe include ranges that popcorn consumers may potentially be exposed to, indicating a risk of severe lung disease (including BO) for some consumers.     

A case for a code of ethics

Ethical dilemmas in business and health have become a familiar topic over recent times. Doubts remain, however, as to whether a code should be produced and the recently issued IHSM consultation paper argues the case for "a statement of primary values" rather than a code of ethics. In a second article on the subject, Paul Bayliss examines the importance of having a code, looks at some of the contextual issues and suggests an approach to producing one.     

A biopsy forceps with a needle for a flexible endoscope

Biopsy forceps with a suture needle were developed. They will enable to increase considerably the efficacy and accuracy of diagnostic procedures in early cancer and precancerous conditions, and the differentiation of malignant and benign affections of internal organs as well.