Diacetyl | Popcorn Lung Disease

Numerous articles in major publications such as the New York Times and the Washington Post have recently been written on the dangers of popcorn factory workers' exposure to a chemical called "Diacetyl." The chemical diacetyl has been linked to a serious lung disease known as Bronchiolitis Obliterans, commonly known as "popcorn lung." When diacetyl vapors are inhaled over long periods of time, the small airways in the lungs become swollen and scarred. Sufferers have no difficulty breathing in, but have extreme difficulty exhaling. Bronchiolitis Obliterans or "popcorn lung" can be fatal. Symptoms include the following:


• Fixed airway obstruction
• Scarring of the lung
• Inflammation of the lung
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Diminished lung capacity

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted several studies confirming the link between workers' exposure to artificial butter flavoring and lung diseases. In 2000, NIOSH issued recommendations to a Missouri microwave popcorn plant for protecting their workers from Diacetyl. In 2003, NIOSH sent an alert to 4,000 businesses that recommended safeguards for protecting their workers against this dangerous chemical.

Now apparently, this warning has been extended to consumers. According to a September 5th article published in the New York Times, "A fondness for microwave buttered popcorn may have led a 53-year-old Colorado man to develop a serious lung condition that until now has been found only in people working in popcorn plants." The article went on to say that, "Lung specialists and even a top industry official say the case, the first of its kind, raises serious concerns about the safety of microwave butter-flavored popcorn. We've all been working on the workplace safety side of this, but the potential for consumer exposure is very concerning," said John B. Hallagan, general counsel for the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States, a trade association of companies that make butter flavorings for popcorn producers. "Are there other cases out there? There could be."

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is researching this case as part of a review of the safety of Diacetyl in many microwave popcorns, including Orville Redenbacher and Act II. Stephanie Childs, a spokesperson ConAgra Foods, the nation's largest maker of microwave popcorn, said the company is planning to remove diacetyl from its microwave popcorn products "in the near future."

Pop Weaver, another large microwave popcorn producer, has already taken Diacetyl out of its popcorn bags "because of consumer concerns" but not because the company believes the chemical is unsafe for consumers, said Cathy Yingling, a company spokeswoman.

On June 13, 2007, legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives that would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an interim standard to protect workers from exposure to Diacetyl, and to introduce a permanent standard within two years.

If you or someone you care about believes that Diacetyl exposure has caused Bronchiolitis Obliterans (Popcorn Lung), please fill out our Case Review Contact Form to the right on this page for a free consultation to find out what your case may be worth.

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