The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is studying the chemicals released into the air when a bag of microwave popcorn is popped or opened.

Exposure to vapours from butter flavouring in microwave popcorn has been linked to a rare lung disease contracted by factory workers in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has said it suspects the chemical diacetyl caused the illnesses.

What ever happened to buttering your popcorn, with say… BUTTER?

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has linked diacetyl to the respiratory illnesses found in workers who mix the microwave popcorn flavourings. Investigators believe the chemical becomes hazardous when it is heated and there is repeated exposure to large quantities over a long time.

The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, based in Washington, D.C., said the flavour ingredients in microwave popcorn pose no threat to consumers.

I wonder if this is the same group that convinced the world that Red Dye #5 was safe too?

How can you keep yourself safe from crap like this? Eat natural products. Don’t eat processed crap. Duh.

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