"It is very important to protect cooks from exposure to diacetyl as (bronchiolitis obliterans) is a very serious lung problem that cannot be reversed," said Dr. Robert Harrison, professor of occupational medicine at the University of California-San Francisco.

Factory workers and line cooks aren't as lucky as the man in the New York Times story, often because they don't report the illness for fear of losing their job. However, recently several hundred families filled lawsuits:

"More than 500 workers from the popcorn and flavoring industry or their families have filed lawsuits because of injury or death from exposure to diacetyl. Details on the settlements are usually sealed, but it is estimated that the flavoring companies that sold diacetyl-containing butter flavoring have paid more than $145 million in jury awards and last-minute settlements."

Popcorn and butter. So simple, so American -- and now dangerous?