Azodicarbonamide is a yellow orangish powder, more commonly used commercially in the creation of foamed plastics â€“ like yoga mats, shoe soles, floor mats and window gaskets.When a truck carrying azodicarbonamide overturned on a Chicago highway in 2001, it prompted city officials to issue the highest hazardous materials alert and evacuate people within a half mile radius! Many of the people on the scene complained of burning eyes and skin irritation as a result. (Source: Pandoraâ€™s Lunchbox by Melanie Warner)The U.K. has recognized azodicarbonamide as a potential cause of asthma if inhaled, and advises against its use in people who have sensitivity to food dye allergies and other common allergies in food, because it can exacerbate the symptoms.The World Health Organization (WHO) studied azodicarbonamide, and also linked it to asthma and other allergic reactions.When azodicarbonamide partially degrades with the heat of processing, it forms trace amounts of semicarbazide, which shows carcinogenicity that can result in tumors over time.