(Sacramento, CA) – Earlier today the California State Assembly approved Assembly Bill 514 (Lieber, D-San Jose) which prohibits the workplace use of diacetyl, the chemical that produces the familiar buttery taste in microwave popcorn and other food products.

"Since there are substitutes for diacetyl designed to release less volatile chemicals or powder into the air, it is unacceptable for the state to continue to allow its use when its horrific effects have been abundantly demonstrated," said Assemblywoman Lieber.

Diacetyl is a yellowish, liquid chemical used as an artificial butter flavoring that enters the body through inhalation or through skin absorption. When exposed to diacetyl, flavoring manufacturing workers have developed bronchiolitis obliterans, which is a debilitating, life-threatening lung disease commonly referred to as “popcorn lung.”

Bronchiolitis obliterans can be found in victims that have been exposed to chemical fires or chemical warfare. Victims suffering from this disease become short of breath even after only minor physical activity.

The disease is irreparable and incurable. In severe cases, the only remedy is a lung transplant.

Today, there is no regulation of diacetyl in California workplaces, even though the state learned of its first case of bronchiolitis obliterans in 2004 and dozens of workers have since been diagnosed with the disease.

This bill is the first proposal of its kind in the nation.