ENZI SUPPORTS OSHA ACTIONS TO ADDRESS CHEMICAL HAZARDS IN MICROWAVE POPCORN MANUFACTURING

Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member of theSenate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today said the U.S.Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is takingthe right steps to address concerns regarding occupational exposure to diacetyl, thebutter-flavored additive found in microwave popcorn. “Employers, workers, and manufacturers alike need guidance to develop properwarning systems and labels to protect workers,” Enzi said. “I’m encouraged that OSHAhas stepped up to the plate to conduct a comprehensive review ensuring that workers arefully protected. We need a science-based solution, not a hasty legislative quick-fix.”Under certain conditions, exposure to diacetyl is now considered a risk foroccupational lung disease. Yesterday, OSHA announced that it is taking three newactions to address concerns about diacetyl: 1. Initiating a rulemaking under section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and HealthAct. 2. Issuing a Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), to provide informationon health effects for workers exposed to diacetyl; information on exposurecontrols that may be used to reduce exposures to butter flavorings; andinformation on applicable OSHA standards. 3. Providing Hazard Communication Guidance, to alert employers, workers,manufacturers, and importers about new information related to the health hazardsassociated with diacetyl; and to provide guidance on how to develop materialsafety data sheets and hazard warning labels to be in compliance with OSHA’sHazard Communication Standard. ####