Journal Examines Diacetyl Exposures, Sampling, Controls
A new study published in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (Volume 5, Issue 11) describes diacetyl exposures experienced by workers at 16 flavoring facilities that used the substance in liquid and/or powder form. Two papers from NIOSH researchers also are published in the issue, one evaluating a local exhaust system for controlling respiratory exposures and the other a field examination of sampling and analytical methods.
"Diacetyl Exposures in the Flavor Manufacturing Industry" is the title of the study by J.W. Martyny, M.V. Van Dyke, and C.S. Rose of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center's Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences in Denver and S. Arbuckle and M. Towle of CoorsTec-Safety in Golden, Colo. They obtained 181 diacetyl personal and area samples that ranged from non-detectable (less than 0.02 ppm) to 60 ppm. The mean diacetyl concentration for all processes was 1.80 ppm, with mean levels higher during powder operations (4.24 ppm) than liquid operations (2.02 ppm). The results are similar to exposures measured by NIOSH in popcorn facilities where workers' cases of the lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans were diagnosed, "however, the duration of use and frequency of use may be significantly lower," according to an abstract of their paper. To read abstracts of the issue's contents, visit http://oeh.informaworld.com/soeh/title~content=t713657996.
"Field Evaluation of Diacetyl Sampling and Analytical Methods" was written by Kevin Ashley, Lauralynn Taylor McKernan, Edward Burroughs, James Deddens, Stephanie Pendergrass, and Robert P. Streicher of NIOSH in Cincinnati. "Evaluation of a Local Exhaust Ventilation System for Controlling Exposures During Liquid Flavoring Production" was written by Leo Old, Kevin H. Dunn, Alberto Garcia, and Alan Echt, also of NIOSH in Cincinnati.