Project 1: Occupational Exposures

Diacetyl (DA; 2,3-butanedione) is a common chemical flavoring added or naturally occurring in food products. In the past ten years, industrial diacetyl use has risen dramatically as it is one of the most common flavoring additives in e-cigarette extracts. Conversely, regulation of non-combustible products, such as e-cigarettes, that contain diacetyl is in its infancy with the FDA extending product review through August 2022.

In Project I, a combination of in vitro and in vivo exposure systems are used for studying for long-term effects of acute inhalation exposure to diacetyl vapor. The goal is to find medical therapies for workers exposed to toxic concentrations of diacetyl.