worker's perks: fatal lung disease

[donsu]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/food_flavorings_illness;_ylt=AhMja_jYxvPTl4qSbydx6nes0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

Fatal Disease From Flavoring Raises Flags

A potentially fatal lung disease linked to chemicals used in food flavorings poses a growing health risk, according to government scientists who are questioning the food industry's willingness to protect its workers.


Bronchiolitis obliterans first emerged as a threat within the food industry in 2000, when the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health was called to a southwest Missouri popcorn plant to investigate lung illnesses among workers.

Investigators subsequently found the disease among popcorn workers throughout the Midwest. They linked it to diacetyl, a substance that is found naturally in many foods but which also is artificially produced and widely used as a less expensive way to enhance flavor or impart the taste of butter.

NIOSH has linked exposure to diacetyl and butter flavoring to lung disease that sickened nearly 200 workers at popcorn plants and killed at least three.
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the food barons are murderers - but, hey!, the pay is good, retirement even better.

[KT2000]

1. This is exactly why

we have to limit workers comp!!
Injured workers are nothing but a drain on our great society. The movement sweeping the nation intends to fix that by having "private" workers comp. That way the corp. gets to hire their own doctors and private investigators. Lung disease?? If they were within three feet of a smoker in their lifetime - that is the real cause of this illness.

[Ohio Joe]

2. Cement Block factory workers as well

I worked in a cement block factory years ago (only for a short time) and we had to sign a waiver that said "when" you get black lung, you won't sue. I really loved how it was simply stated that it would happen, not possibly happen.

[elehhhhna]

3. no doubt that contract was illegal--you can't sign away your rights.

[Ohio Joe]

4. I would expect so

It really surprised me though that they were even allowed to operate while admitting the job would kill you.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Well, at least members of Congress never lose their benefits!!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/congress_benefits

Lawmakers Never Faced With Losing Benefits
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer

Members of Congress occasionally lose elections, but they never lose retirement and health benefits that most Americans can only envy.

A lawmaker who retires at 60 after just 12 years in office can count on receiving an immediate pension of $25,000 a year and lifetime benefits that could total more than $800,000.

That doesn't include 401(k) benefits. And any member who lasts five years in office also can get taxpayer-subsidized health care until he or she reaches Medicare age.

Congressional pensions tend to be far more generous than those offered in the private sector. Benefits start earlier and — unlike most private pension plans promising a fixed monthly payment based on years worked and pay — come with annual cost-of-living increases. They also accrue a third faster than the average plan offered by private companies.

Any member of Congress with five years of service is eligible for full benefits at 62. Those with 20 years in office can get full benefits at 50, younger than most workers.

Cost-of-living adjustments, a shield against inflation, "haven't been slightly common since the 1980s" in the private sector, said John Ehrhardt, an expert in corporate retirement programs at the Seattle-based consulting and actuarial firm Milliman. He said COLAs could add 25 percent to the value of a congressional plan over its lifetime.

More at link...

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