The House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill (H.R. 2693) that would regulate employees’ exposure to diacetyl.

The lack of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard on diacetyl “has endangered the health of families,” said Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio. “That is why we have to act today. Workers should never have to choose between their health and feeding their families.”

The Bush administration and House Republicans think the Democrats' bill is premature, and Congress' interference with OSHA's work may cause more harm than good.

“We believe that it's important to give OSHA time to complete a scientific study of diacetyl exposure and to issue a recommended exposure limit for the use of that chemical,” said Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. “Without a complete study, Congress may push manufacturers to use different chemicals that could be even more directly responsible for diseases.”

The legislation gives OSHA three months to tell microwave popcorn production and packaging establishments and all flavoring manufacturing locations using diacetyl to limit exposure to the chemical, institute air monitoring, medical surveillance and safety labeling; and require the wearing of protective clothing and equipment for workers exposed to it.

Two years after the legislation is signed, the rules would apply everywhere diacetyl is processed or used.

The House passed the legislation 260-154. The Senate has not yet considered the bill.

ConAgra Foods Inc., General Mills Inc. and the American Pop Corn Company already have said they would stop using diacetyl. Together those companies accounted for more than 80 percent of the market for microwave popcorn over the past 12 months.

OSHA Meeting:

In a Federal Register notice published yesterday, OSHA is inviting the public to participate in its informal stakeholder meeting on Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl.

“This meeting will provide another opportunity for the agency to collect additional information from all interested stakeholders on how to protect the health of employees exposed to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.

The stakeholder meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport Hotel, 1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va., 22202. If more than 50 stakeholders register for the meeting, there will be a second meeting held Oct. 18 at the same location.

OSHA requests the public be prepared to discuss issues regarding occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl in their industry/job function including uses of the chemical; approaches used to assess exposure; available exposure data; controls utilized to minimize exposure including substitutes for diacetyl; and medical screening and surveillance.

Those who wish to participate in the stakeholder meeting must submit a notice of intention to attend to Eastern Research Group Inc. by e-mail at meetings@erg.com (subject line: Diacetyl Meeting), fax at (781) 674-2906, by mail to Laurie Stamatatos, Eastern Research Group Inc., 110 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, Mass., 02421-3136, or contact Eastern Research Group Inc. at (781) 674-7374 no later than Oct. 10, 2007. When submitting your notice, include your full name, affiliation, address, telephone, and e-mail address. Also incorporate whether you wish to be an active participant or observer; and whether you need special accommodations in order to attend or participate in the stakeholder meeting. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.