Popcorn Lung

Toxic Exposure to Popcorn Butter Vapors

Popcorn Lung Disease (bronchiolitis obliterans) is caused by breathing the vapors of artificial butter favoring used in most microwave popcorn. This is a type of toxic exposure, as the danger of these chemicals is generally acknowledged. The toxic nature of microwave popcorn butter vapors has been shown in laboratory tests on animals and in human studies.

Popcorn Lung Disease causes lung inflammation, hardening, and scarring and other serious symptoms. The disease is rare, but those who suffer from it often require lung transplants, as it is irreversible and can be life threatening, ultimately obstructing the lungs.

While the exact mechanism by which the heated butter flavoring vapors cause popcorn lung disease is unclear, studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicate an inordinantely high level of the chemical Diacetyl in popcorn factories. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has Diacetyl listed as a toxic substance. This may be the cause of Popcorn Lung Disease, and it is generally accepted that airborne butter flavoring is toxic, that breathing it is dangerous, and that it can cause serious injury to the lungs. The toxicity of artificial butter vapors is further supported by the fact that popcorn lung disease has a relatively high incidence rate in microwave popcorn plant workers, while it is extremely rare in the general population.

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