What is the name of the chemical substance which gives microwave popcorn its butter-like taste?

jonnowales

Diacetyl The United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has suggested that diacetyl, when used in artificial butter flavoring (as used in microwave popcorn or butter salt), may be hazardous when heated and inhaled over a long period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diacetyl Sep 08 07, 4:57 PM

lanfranco

This issue has been in the news very recently, owing to the death of a popcorn addict from a lung disease: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hg2_RfPPdec6l9xS67hL8JkX9UKQ Sep 08 07, 5:10 PM

zbeckabee

Bronchiolitis obliterans has many possible causes, including: collagen vascular disease, transplant rejection in organ transplant patients, viral infection (RSV, adenovirus, PCP, HIV, CMV), drug reaction, aspiration and complications of prematurity (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), and toxic fume exposure (including: diacetyl, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, ozone and chlorine). Additionally, the disorder may be idiopathic (without known cause). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcorn_lung Sep 08 07, 5:39 PM