Thursday, May 10, 2007

93 - Food Workers' Lungs Destroyed: Another Case Study In How Right-Wing Policies Increase Human Misery, Suffering, Pain And Death

Today, we're going to discuss another example of the right-wing letting their ideology trump science, and in the process, increase human misery, suffering, pain and death.

It concerns...microwave popcorn, of all things. You wouldn't think manufacturing popcorn would be a dangerous job, that could severely injure, or even kill you. Well, think again.

And what about you, eating that popcorn? Has the right allowed some hidden danger to remain in the finished product?

Here's an overview of what we'll talk about today:

Seven years ago, a Missouri doctor discovered a troubling pattern at a microwave popcorn plant in the town of Jasper. After an additive was modified to produce a more buttery taste, nine workers came down with a rare, life-threatening disease that was ravaging their lungs.

Puzzled Missouri health authorities turned to two federal agencies in Washington. Scientists at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which investigates the causes of workplace health problems, moved quickly to examine patients, inspect factories and run tests. Within months, they concluded that the workers became ill after exposure to diacetyl, a food-flavoring agent.

But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, charged with overseeing workplace safety, reacted with far less urgency. It did not step up plant inspections or mandate safety standards for businesses, even as more workers became ill.

To find out more, including how the Bush administration is eviscerating OSHA across the board and putting millions of workers in various industries across the nation at risk, listen to the podcast.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Jack Clark 2:35 PM [+]
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