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DOL/OSHA

RIN: 1218-AC33

Publication ID: Spring 2008

Title: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl
Abstract: On July 26, 2006, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) petitioned DOL for an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for all employees exposed to diacetyl, a major component in artificial butter flavoring. Diacetyl and a number of other volatile organic compounds are used to manufacture artificial butter food flavorings. These food flavorings are used by various food manufacturers in a multitude of food products including microwave popcorn, certain bakery goods, and some snack foods. OSHA denied the petition on September 25, 2007, but has initiated 6(b) rulemaking. Evidence from NIOSH and other sources indicated that employee exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl is associated with bronchiolitis obliterans, a debilitating and potentially fatal disease of the small airways in the lung. Severe obstructive airway disease has been observed in the microwave popcorn industry and in food flavoring manufacturing plants. Experimental evidence has shown that inhalation exposure to artificial butter flavoring vapors and diacetyl damaged tissue lining, the nose, and airways of rats and mice.
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Prerule Stage
Major: Undetermined	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1910
Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b) 29 USC 657

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
Stakeholder Meeting	10/17/2007	72 FR 54619
Initiate SBREFA Panel	05/00/2008

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: Businesses	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes
Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty Director, Directorate of Standards and Guidance Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Room N-3718, FP Building, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210 Phone:202 693-1950 Fax:202 693-1678 Email: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov