NIOSH announces meeting on criteria for diacetyl standard

Washington – NIOSH plans to host a public meeting Aug. 26 in Washington to discuss and hear comments on its proposed criteria for a diacetyl standard.

The document to be discussed, Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and 2, 3-pentanedione, will be available online Aug. 12, the agency said.

At the meeting, special emphasis will be given to:

• Hazard identification, risk estimation and health effects for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione
• Basis of the recommended exposure limit for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione
• Workplaces and occupations where exposure to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione occurs
• Current exposure measurement methods
• Current strategies for controlling occupational exposure to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, such as engineering controls, work practices, medical surveillance and personal protective equipment
• Oral comments provided to NIOSH on the draft criteria document

Diacetyl is a chemical used in the food industry as a butter flavoring. It has been linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, a fatal lung disease also called “popcorn workers lung.”