Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention

Floor Speech

POPCORN WORKERS LUNG DISEASE PREVENTION ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 27, 2007)

SPEECH OF HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2693) to direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl:

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act.

* Bronchiolitis obliterans frequently referred to as popcorn lung is a serious and debilitating lung disease, which has resulted in severe illness and even death of workers in popcorn and flavor production. This irreversible disease has been linked with exposure to the artificial butter chemical, diacetyl. However, despite this knowledge, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not issued a single regulation for diacetyl. In fact, OSHA has not issued a single worker safety standard in the last 7 years, except for one ordered by a court.

* This legislation requires OSHA to issue an emergency standard within 90 days to minimize worker exposure to diacetyl in popcorn and flavorings manufacturing plants. It also requires OSHA to develop a permanent and more comprehensive standard within the next 2 years to regulate diacetyl exposure in all workplaces.

* The Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act is supported by a wide range of organizations including the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, the AFL-CIO, the American Society of Safety Engineers, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

* All workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 2693.

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