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Popcorn Workers Lung - Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Bronchiolitis Obliterans aka Popcorn Workers Lung, is an obstructive lung disease in which the bronchioles of the lungs are blocked by the growth of fibrous tissue.  The nickname Popcorn Workers Lung has been given to Bronchiolitis Obliterans because workers in factories that make microwavable popcorn that uses diacetyl for the buttery flavoring are known to contract the disease.  The disease is irreversible, and can become so severe that a lung transplant may be necessary.  Popcorn Workers Lung is a rare disorder that is known to be caused by repeated exposure to toxic gases, namely diacetyl. 

Symptoms of Bronchiolitis Obliterans
The symptoms Popcorn Workers Lung usually occur gradually and become progressively worse.   However, the sudden onset of severe symptoms is not unheard of.  Signs of this disease include:

  • Coughing (usually without phlegm)
  • Shortness of breath on exertion
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Weight loss
  • Difficulty blowing air out fast and no improvement with asthma medication
A variety of breathing tests, chest x-rays, chest scans and lung biopsies are usually needed in order to diagnose bronchiolitis obliterans.  Often, patients are thought to have pneumonia, asthma or other lung ailments before a final diagnosis of Popcorn Workers Lung is made.

Bronchiolitis Obliterans and Diacetyl Exposure
Diacetyl, a chemical used to give microwave popcorn and other snacks a buttery flavor, has been associated with the onset of bronchiolitis obliterans.  In 2003 and 2004, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health linked the development of Popcorn Workers Lung in hundreds of workers at six Midwestern popcorn factories to diacetyl exposure.   The Centers for Disease Control has made a similar link between diacetyl and bronchiolitis obliterans.  In 2007, two major popcorn manufacturers decided to discontinue the use of diacetyl in their microwave popcorn.   Weaver Popcorn and ConAgra Foods, Inc. both announced the move as a way to protect worker health. 

In June of 2007, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) was informed of a patient who had developed bronchiolitis obliterans despite never having worked in the popcorn or flavorings industry.   Reportedly, the man had been eating at least two bags of butter-flavored microwave popcorn everyday for 15 years prior to his diagnosis.   The FDA is now investigating to see if his disease is linked to the consumption of diacetyl in microwave popcorn.

Popcorn Workers Lung Victims Legal Rights
If you or a loved developed popcorn workers lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) as a result of diacetyl exposure, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-463) today for a free lawsuit case review by one of our qualified attorneys.
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Microwave Popcorn Ingredient Tied to Lung Disease

May 2, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
A unusually high incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans among workers at microwave popcorn factories is likely the result of their exposure to diacetyl, a new study says.  The study, conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH) concluded that diacetyl, a chemical that gives microwave popcorn its butter flavor, needs further study so that workers in the flavorings and snack industry are no longer at risk of the fatal disease, also known as Popcorn Workers...

Diacetyl Shown to Damage Lungs of Lab Mice

Mar 13, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Diacetyl, a chemical linked to the development of a serious disorder known as Popcorn Workers Lung, has been shown to cause lung damage in lab mice.  Popcorn Workers Lung, also known as obliterative bronchiolitis, is a debilitating but rare lung disease, which has been detected recently in workers who inhale significant concentrations of the flavoring in microwave popcorn packaging plants.Diacetyl is used to give microwave popcorn and other snacks a buttery flavor. In 2003 and 2004, the...

Popcorn Workers Lung Lawsuit Filed by Microwave Popcorn Lover

Jan 16, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
A man who may have developed Popcorn Workers Lung from a two-bag-a-day microwave popcorn habit has filed a product liability lawsuit against Kroger Co. and two of its divisions: grocery store King Soopers’ parent company, Dillon Companies Inc., and food distributor Inter-American Products Inc. for selling the popcorn that made him sick.  Wayne Watson is the first person outside of the snack industry known to have been diagnosed with Popcorn Workers Lung, a rare and sometimes deadly...

Diacetyl used in Thousands of Foods. Are Consumers at Risk for Popcorn Workers Lung?

Jan 8, 2008 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Diacetyl, a chemical linked to a deadly disorder known as Popcorn Workers Lung could be present in an as many 6,000 consumer products.   That finding is disturbing, especially considering that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) was recently informed of what might be the first recorded diagnosis of Popcorn Workers Lung  in a consumer with no ties whatsoever  to the snack foods industry.Popcorn Workers Lung - also known as Bronchiolitis Obliterans -- is a potentially...

Diacetyl Gets the Boot over Popcorn Workers Lung Concerns

Dec 18, 2007 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Popcorn Workers Lung concerns have led several large microwave popcorn makers to remove diacetyl from their products, and safer microwave popcorns could be on store shelves soon. Popcorn Workers Lung—or Bronchiolitis obliterans—is a rare and life-threatening disease that destroys the small airways of the lungs.  Diacetyl, a chemical that gives foods like popcorn, candy, and baked goods that creamy, buttery taste, is linked to Popcorn Lungs, a disease that has attacked popcorn...

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