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Popcorn Workers Lung


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Popcorn Workers Lung Injury Lawsuits

Popcorn Workers Lung | Lawsuits, Lawyers | Exposure: Injury, Infection, Disease | Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Diacetyl

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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Jury Awards Popcorn Lung Victim $30 Million

Aug 17, 2010 | Parker Waichman LLP
A man who worked at a Flavorchem Corp. plant in the Chicago area has been awarded $30 million in a Popcorn Lung lawsuit. According to a report in the Joplin Globe, the verdict is the largest rendered to date in a lawsuit involving the chemical diacetyl, an ingredient in butter flavoring. 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 inflames the...

Popcorn Lung Reported in Consumers

Feb 12, 2010 | Parker Waichman LLP
“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 inflames the...

Labor Department Plans New Regulations For Diacetyl, Industrial Dust

Apr 28, 2009 | Parker Waichman LLP
The Labor Department is finally making plans to suggest new rules aimed both at limiting exposure to the chemical diacetyl and preventing industrial dust accidents, the Associated Press (AP) is reporting. Diacetyl is the chemical that gives food—specifically, microwave popcorn—a buttery flavor and which has been linked to severe lung disease. In February 2008, an explosion at an Imperial Sugar Company plant  in Georgia that left many dead and  injured was blamed on highly...

OSHA Will Finally Take Action On Popcorn Workers Lung

Mar 20, 2009 | Parker Waichman LLP
The Department of Labor has directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to speed up the establishment of new rules to protect workers in the snack and flavorings industry from the threat of a disease known as Popcorn Workers Lung.  According to The Wall Street Journal, the directive is an indication that the Obama administration will take a tougher stance on worker protections than its predecessor.Popcorn Workers Lung is a potentially life threatening ailment, for...

Popcorn Workers Lung Victim, Wife Awarded $7.5 Million

Mar 13, 2009 | Parker Waichman LLP
A jury has ruled in favor of a plaintiff in a Popcorn Workers Lung lawsuit.  According to The Associated Press, the federal jury in Iowa yesterday ordered a flavorings manufacturer to pay the victim - who died just a day before of complications from Popcorn Workers Lung -  and his wife $7.5 million for causing his injuries.Popcorn Workers Lung is a potentially life threatening ailment, for which the only cure is a lung transplant. The disease - also known as bronchiolitis obliterans -...

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