Most of us enjoy the occasional bowl of popcorn while watching a movie or sports match on TV. Other people like to indulge on a daily basis, which should be fine, considering that the whole-grain snack is high in antioxidants and fiber and regarded as a healthy option. While this may be true for popcorn that has been air-popped, it turns out that microwave popcorn may be harmful to your health, specifically your lungs. The strangest aspect of this risk is that it is not from eating microwave popcorn, but rather from inhaling its fumes. This can lead to an irreversible condition called “popcorn lung”, and in one case, even resulted in a massive popcorn lung lawsuit.
The Popcorn Lung Lawsuit
In 2012, reports started circulating about a man who won a massive lawsuit after developing popcorn lung from consuming two packets per day of microwave popcorn. The case involved a man from Colorado by the name of Wayne Watson. Watson won the case and walked away with $7.2 million after it was proven that he had developed bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung) from his two-bag-a-day habit. However, he did not develop this condition from eating the popcorn, but rather from inhaling the vapors that emanated from the artificial butter flavoring called diacetyl. This is an important distinction, as the same class of chemicals can be found in certain food-processing environments as well as some brands of e-cigarettes.
A federal jury in Denver awarded Watson $7.2 million in the popcorn lung lawsuit against the popcorn manufacturer and retailers in September 2012. According to Watson, he consumed around two bags of buttered microwave popcorn daily for around 10 years. He added that he habitually inhaled the fragrant steam after opening the bags. His lawyers did not argue that he developed the condition from eating the popcorn, but rather from inhaling the harmful vapors from the diacetyl flavoring and related diketones. This is why worker safety standards in environments that involve these chemicals focus on the air you breathe.
What Is Popcorn Lung?
Popcorn lung is an irreversible disease that narrows and scars the small airways in your lungs. This is followed by a chronic cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. These symptoms typically persist even after treatment, and a transplant or oxygen therapy is often required in severe cases. According to medical centers, diacetyl is considered safe to consume, but it can be potentially dangerous if inhaled. This issue first came to public light in the early 2000s, after health officials started investigating cases of severe lung disease among workers at a microwave popcorn manufacturing facility in Missouri. The investigation found that the likely suspect was diacetyl, which was being inhaled at the microwave popcorn plant. These findings led to changes in occupational recommendations and industry practices.
Following the release of this evidence in the early 2000s, major popcorn brands in the United States started removing diacetyl from the list of ingredients used to make popcorn in 2007. Today, diacetyl remains legal for consumption under FDA rules. However, when it comes to occupational hazards, the issue is the inhalation of the vapor. The benefit for the public at large is that most modern microwave popcorn brands no longer use added daicetyl. However, if you are still concerned and unsure whether the brand you are using is safe, let the bag vent away the vapor first after opening before starting to consume it. Additionally, unless you work in a workplace that exposes you to the vapors or inhale microwave popcorn on a regular basis, you shouldn’t be too worried.
People working in facilities that use butter-like flavorings can be exposed to airborne diketones without proper controls in place. Agencies such as NIOSH and OSHA both maintain detailed guidelines for employers on proper ventilation practices and monitoring. A study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2015 revealed that diacetyl or similar chemicals were present in many brands of flavored vape liquids. Even though cases of popcorn lung solely among e-cigarette consumers remain debated, lung-health organizations have stated that the risks associated with inhaling diacetyl are plausible and preventable.
If you work in an environment where you are exposed to compounds such as diacetyl, make sure that your employers are following the guidance presented by OSHA and NIOSH. This should include aspects such as enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, and monitoring of exposure. If you have developed a persistent cough or breathlessness from your work environment, it is important to go for a medical evaluation. If you use vape products, be aware that certain products may contain diacetyl or similar compounds. While popcorn lung is irreversible, it can also easily be prevented and avoided with a little caution.
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