YourLawyer.com® 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636)

Popcorn Workers Lung


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

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.
Popcorn Workers LungRSS Feed

Labor Department Plans New Regulations For Diacetyl, Industrial Dust

Apr 28, 2009 | Parker Waichman Alonso 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 Alonso 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 Alonso 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 -...

Popcorn Lung Trial Starts

Feb 19, 2009 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Today, a trial opened in the case of popcorn worker, Ronald Kuiper of Sioux City, who is suing several firms over severe lung damage he suffered as a result of toxic butter flavorings used in the manufacture of popcorn, reported the Sioux City Journal.Kuiper said, according to court documents, that he suffered lung damage as a result of working with butter flavorings containing Diacetyl, which, said Kuiper, was known by the companies to cause lung damage, reported the Sioux City Journal. ...

Manufacturer Trying to Block Investigation of Popcorn Lung Chemical

Feb 10, 2009 | Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Popcorn Lung, or Bronchiolitis obliterans, is making headlines again.  Not because the government will finally be taking meaningful steps to look into the chemical that causes an irreversible lung disease, but because  a federal investigation into the disease at the Sensient Flavors International plant in Indianapolis is being blocked by the manufacturer.The chemical that causes Popcorn Lung—Diacetyl—is what artificially flavors cookies, candies, popcorn, cooking oils and...

More Popcorn Workers Lung News

Diseases
* Denotes required field.

Title

* First Name

* Last Name

* Email Address

* Phone Number

Cell Phone Number

Office Phone Number

Street Address

Apartment/Suite

City

State

Zip Code

Please provide the best method and times to contact you:

Date of birth of person injured
(mm-dd-yyyy):

Please describe your disease, injury or medical condition:

What was the date of diagnosis?

What do you believe caused this disease (drug, toxic substance, etc.)?

Other Info:

No Yes, I agree to the Parker Waichman Alonso LLP disclaimers.Click here to review all.

Yes, I would like to receive the Parker Waichman Alonso LLP monthly newsletter, InjuryAlert.

please do not fill out the field below.

Home | Defective Drugs | Medical Devices | Toxic Substances | Accidents | Product Liability | Malpractice | Diseases
Nursing Home Negligence | Food Poisoning | Other Topics | Contact
Statement of Clients' Rights | Site Map | Vioxx | Mesothelioma | Permax | Dostinex | Composix Kugel Mesh X Large Patch
Ortho Evra | Fosamax | Fusarium Keratitis | Stevens Johnson Syndrome

© 2002-2010 YourLawyer.com®. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that you are not considered a client until you have signed a retainer agreement and your case has been accepted by us.
Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
Attorney Advertising