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GENERAL INFORMATION |
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Butter Flavoring Lung Injuries - Frequently Asked
Questions on Diacetyl Injuries and Butter Flavoring
Worker Lawsuits |
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| Q:
Why have workers at microwave popcorn plants
developed illnesses?
A: The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that
it has found cases of severe lung disease
among workers at popcorn factories who
breathed butter flavoring vapors, which
contain the chemical diacetyl. Animal studies
conducted by NIOSH showed that diacetyl
in popcorn butter flavoring was highly
toxic to the airways of rats. |
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| Q:
What specific types of worker injuries have
been caused by exposure to artificial butter
flavoring?
A: In other lawsuits by workers at factories
using artificial butter flavoring, the
workers have alleged that their exposure
to butter flavor mixtures have resulted
in damage to their respiratory systems
in the form of asthma, bronchiectasis,
bronchiolitis obliterans, chronic bronchiolitis,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
emphysema, and severe lung impairment. |
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Q:
I have heard several microwave popcorn
workers have been diagnosed with bronchiolitis
obliterans. What is this disease?
A: Bronchiolitis obliterans is an obliteration
or chronic scarring of the lung's airways
which does not not respond to normal asthma
medication. It is a life-threatening disease.
To learn more, click
here. |
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| Q:
Do other kinds of foods use butter flavoring?
A: Yes. Many different types of butter
flavoring are used in products from snack
cakes to candy to frozen foods. NIOSH is
concerned that workers in some of these
industries may be at risk of lung damage
as well. |
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Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein,
LLP represents persons injured
in vehicle accidents. Click
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Q:
Are only workers at microwave popcorn factories
at risk?
A: No. Investigators at the NIOSH say that
workers who make a wide variety of products,
from candy to snack cakes to potato chips,
could be at risk of developing a severe lung
disease associated with breathing butter flavoring
vapors. Artificial butter is used in the manufacture
of a wide range of food products. ''We know
that butter flavorings are very widely used,''
said Dr. Gregory Wagner, director of the NIOSH's
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies. ''What
we don't know is how much injury has occurred.''
Lieff Cabraser is reviewing claims of injuries
by workers outside the popcorn industry exposed
to diacetyl. |
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| Q:
What's being done to protect workers?
A: Federal agencies have issued recommended
safety guidelines. Industry groups say they
also are working with their members to ensure
a safe workplace. |
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| Q:
How can workers contact the NIOSH to report a
plant that may have a problem?
A: The NIOSH has a lung disease hotline at
1-800-232-2114. |
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| Q:
If I have suffered an injury I believe is due
to breathing butter flavoring vapors where I
work, how can I receive compensation?
A: You should speak to an attorney experienced
in personal injury cases. Lieff
Cabraser will provide you a prompt case review
for no charge or obligation. We are currently
representing workers with "popcorn lung" disease.
Please click here to
contact us. |
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| Lieff
Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, is one
of the largest law firms in the nation that represents
only plaintiffs. We have a team of personal injury
lawyers, assisted by multiple nurses, scientific
advisors and medical experts, dedicated to advancing
our clients interests, including clients that
have suffered permanent lung injuries. We are
currently representing workers with "popcorn
workers" lung disease. |
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the National Law
Journal has selected
our firm as one of the top plaintiffs' law
firms in the nation. We have represented thousands
of persons in personal injury lawsuits across
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Cabraser attorneys provide legal advice and practice
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attorneys throughout the midwest. For example,
in Indiana, we are associated with the Indiana
law firm of Cohen & Malad, LLP in this litigation.
In Missouri, we are associated with attorney
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Farrington & McClain, P.C. Please read our disclaimer. |
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About Lieff Cabraser: We have
offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. Our lawyers have
represented clients in personal injury, wrongful death and
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Among the cases our personal injury
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AMO contact lens solution recall, the Peter Pan peanut butter recall, Guidant
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rollover accidents, popcorn
workers lung injuries, and Ford
switch fires.
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