Comments on: Preventing Flavor Workers’ Lung Disease: A Tale of Two Regulatory Systems http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/preventing-flavor-workers-lung-disease/ A water cooler for the public health crowd Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:41:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Thom http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/preventing-flavor-workers-lung-disease/#comment-6903 Thom Tue, 08 May 2007 13:07:47 +0000 http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/preventing-flavor-workers-lung-disease/#comment-6903 I've often felt that litigation is a sign that the protection laws must not be working; either that, or the enforcement is probably shoddy. I’ve often felt that litigation is a sign that the protection laws must not be working; either that, or the enforcement is probably shoddy.

]]> By: David Michaels http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/preventing-flavor-workers-lung-disease/#comment-6893 David Michaels Tue, 08 May 2007 10:14:27 +0000 http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/preventing-flavor-workers-lung-disease/#comment-6893 To some extent, the companies that manufacture diacetyl are being held responsible. According to news reports, they have paid out $100 million in awards and settlements stemming from lawsuits by workers with lung disease. This has no doubt contributed to the concern the flavor manufacturers have about these chemicals. But employers who don't manufacture the flavors, but only use them in food manufacture (like the popcorn and snack food manufacturers) are protected from law suits by the workers compensation exclusive remedy -- you can't sue your employer -- so they have less incentive to eliminate exposure. But litigation is no substitute for good OSHA enforcement. Law suits come too late, after people are already sick. Public health agencies like OSHA exist to prevent the situations that lead to law suits. To some extent, the companies that manufacture diacetyl are being held responsible. According to news reports, they have paid out $100 million in awards and settlements stemming from lawsuits by workers with lung disease. This has no doubt contributed to the concern the flavor manufacturers have about these chemicals. But employers who don’t manufacture the flavors, but only use them in food manufacture (like the popcorn and snack food manufacturers) are protected from law suits by the workers compensation exclusive remedy — you can’t sue your employer — so they have less incentive to eliminate exposure.

But litigation is no substitute for good OSHA enforcement. Law suits come too late, after people are already sick. Public health agencies like OSHA exist to prevent the situations that lead to law suits.

]]> By: carol http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/preventing-flavor-workers-lung-disease/#comment-6855 carol Tue, 08 May 2007 02:36:01 +0000 http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/preventing-flavor-workers-lung-disease/#comment-6855 why aren't the companies manufacturing the products being held responsible? Why is it up to the Government? The companies using these products should be the ones held responsible for protecting their employees from this effects of this product. Shouldnt they be wearing masks or something? or should we even be using this product if it is so harmful? why aren’t the companies manufacturing the products being held responsible? Why is it up to the Government? The companies using these products should be the ones held responsible for protecting their employees from this effects of this product. Shouldnt they be wearing masks or something? or should we even be using this product if it is so harmful?

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