Political Quotes

“Amendment No. 4127 I wanted an opportunity to talk about an amendment that I have at the desk. It is germane. It would ban certain uses of a chemical that poses very serious health risks to the lungs of consumers and workers. In recent years, scientific evidence has mounted that a chemical called diacetyl seriously harms the lungs of workers in factories making microwave popcorn. I am sure you have read about it, because there is a huge list of stories that appeared in the press about doctors linking illnesses to this particular chemical. Also there is documentation that says that the large popcorn manufacturers have banned this chemical. But we do not have a ban in law, which means it is simply not fair. We have some companies that have banned it, but we have not acted to ban it. I think it is so dangerous. It causes the tissue inside the lungs to get clogged and creates scar tissue and inflammation and it leaves the victim struggling to breathe. That is the reason Senator Kennedy has teamed up with me on this amendment.”