Diacetyl = Lung Disease?

[shlap]

I was reading this article in the Washing Post today about workers in the microwave popcorn industry and how they're getting a life-threatening lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans from working with Diacetyl which is used as an artificial butter flavoring agent. Is this the same Diacetyl found in our homebrew?

 

[McKBrew]

It's the same thing. I wouldn't sweat it, as it appears the people suffering lung problems have been exposed to extremely high levels from working in popcorn factories.

Here is a technical type article regarding diacetyl formation and how to prevent/minimize it.

http://brewingtechniques.com/library/backissues/issue1.2/fix.html

 

[olllllo]

Got to get up earlier to beat olllllo...
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29232

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

yes, and they are talking about the use as a butter flavoring, where as employees are inhaling signifigant quanties while handling this chemical during the manufature of flavored food items.

 

[feedthebear]

If it is effecting their lungs, I would expect that their primary exposure path is from breathing it not drinking it.

Don't inhale your beer and you'll be fine.

 

[Drunk Monkey]

What does diacetyl taste like? On the rare times that I drink Corona, I think that it kind of has buttery qualities. (That sounds wierd)

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

Butter or butterscotchy flavors. Kinda chemically to me.

 

[casebrew]

At least most homebrewers know that it IS natural. I assume it is in real butter too? Therefor, it comes from milk? So, probably in mothers milk too? Anybody care to make the leap of intuition regarding a relationship of beer and mothers milk???