“Popcorn lung”, an illness once thought to be confined to snack food industry workers, is turning up in consumers with increasing frequency.   Popcorn lung has been linked to diacetyl, a chemical used in microwave popcorn and other foods, to impart them with a rich, buttery flavor.

Popcorn lung, known formally as bronchiolitis obliterans, is a potentially life-threatening irreversible ailment for which the only cure is a lung transplant.   Popcorn lung infiltrates the bronchioles, small lung airways, causing scarring and “obliterating” appropriate airflow.

Some of the larger microwave popcorn manufacturers, such as ConAgra, have stopped using diacetyl.   But the chemical is still used in thousands of products, including microwave popcorn, frozen foods, cake mixes and butter-flavored cooking oils.   Unfortunately, it is not often listed on the ingredient labels, so there is no way for consumers to protect themselves from exposure.   When the chemical is heated, say in a microwave, it is released into the air in vapor form.

In 2007, a Colorado man named, Wayne Watson, became the first consumer to be diagnosed with popcorn lung.   He had never worked around diacetyl, but he did have a decade long, 2 bag a day microwave popcorn habit.   Watson’s doctor theorized that the inhalation of diacetyl fumes from bags of microwave popcorn caused his illness.

According to reports, Watson’s case prompted his doctor to send a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and three other government agencies, warning that diacetyl was a potential health threat not just to workers, but also to consumers.   The FDA followed up with the doctor and assigned a team of scientists to examine scientific research into types of diacetyl exposure.

So far, however, the FDA has not taken any regulatory action and officially considers diacetyl safe.   The agency hasn’t indicated when it will finish its diacetyl review and issue findings.

Since the link between diacetyl and popcorn lung was established, hundreds of stricken snack industry workers have filed lawsuits against flavoring manufacturers.   Consumers stricken with the disease have also filed popcorn lung lawsuits.   Watson did so and according to reports has reached a confidential settlement with one defendant, a flavor developer.

According to the associated press, more than 300 other popcorn lung cases are pending around the country, and verdicts as high as $20 million have been awarded in previous lawsuits.

Contact Us
Davis & Crump, P.C. is now handling claims for individuals who have been exposed to diacetyl and been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans.  Davis & Crump, P.C. is experienced in product liability cases and settlements.   If you or a loved one has suffered bronchiolitis obliterans a/k/a popcorn lung after exposure to diacetyl, contact us at 1-800-277-0300 or send us an email at info@daviscrump.com.