In >, Ernie Klein wrote:
>In article >,
> Kent Wills > wrote:
>
>> As I understand it, on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:43:09 -0700, Richard
>> Fangnail > wrote:
>>
>> >How do they get the butter onto the popcorn? The edible part of the
>> >popcorn is inside the kernel before popping, isn't it?
>> >
>> >What is the best type of microwave popcorn with butter? I like Pop
>> >Secret with Spiderman on the box.
>>
>> I've never thought about it before, but my GUESS is that the
>> oil inside the bag is butter flavor. As the corn pops, the butter
>> flavored oil gets on the corn.
>
>The butter flavor in microwave popcorn comes from a chemical called
>diacetyl. This chemical is the subject of several lung injury lawsuits
>by popcorn factory workers. Some workers have scaring of the lungs to
>the point of needing lung transplants. This is also know as "popcorn
>workers lung". These law suits have been much in the news lately, so I
>am surprised that you haven't heard of them (and the chemical that gives
>the butter flavor to microwave popcorn).
>
>Just google for 'diacetyl' and you will get all kinds of information.

2,3-butanedione. Liquid that is miscible with water (mixes in any
ratio), and has a boiling point of 88 degrees C.

The molecule looks related to acetone and MEK. I know those permeate
through the body easily. In fact,

http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics1168.htm says it is absorbed
into the body through inhalation and skin.

I suspect that any vapor inhalation damaging only or mainly the lungs,
if possible, would be caused by very acute very severe exposure.

I am aware that its MSDS, at:

http://www.physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/BU...tanedione.html

mentions:

"Note that there is some evidence that chronic exposure to this compound
may contribute to the development of the potentially fatal condition
bronchiolitis obliterans. See, for example Eur. Respir. J., 24: 298-302
(2004)"

I suspect that if this was true, then it would take some fairly
concentrated vapors to do such a thing and that other ketones would also
do it.

I suspect popcorn workers actually injured by popcorn flavor fumes could
have been injured by something else but went after what appeared to them
or their lawyers to be the harshest chemical around.

If diacetyl does indeed have this lung hazard, some fairly ordinary
amount of ventillation should be enough to take care of it.

Diacetyl is not some Frankensteinish stuff not found in nature, but
exists in nature as a natural fermentation product. Some alcoholic
beverages are even made in ways that enhance content of diacetyl for its
flavor, notably some chardonnays.

- Don Klipstein )