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DOL/OSHA RIN: 1218-AC33 Publication ID: Spring 2010 
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. OSHA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on January 21, 2009, but withdrew the ANPRM on March 17, 2009, in order to facilitate timely development of a standard. The Agency subsequently initiated review of the draft proposed standard in accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The SBREFA Panel Report was completed on July 2, 2009. The next step will be for OSHA to conduct a scientific peer review of its draft risk assessment. 
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Prerule Stage 
Major: No  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   
ANPRM  01/21/2009  74 FR 3937   
ANPRM Withdrawn  03/17/2009  74 FR 11329   
ANPRM Comment Period End  04/21/2009    
Completed SBREFA Report  07/02/2009    
Initiate Peer Review of Health Effects and Risk Assessment  10/00/2010    
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