Anyone ever heard of Popcorn Lung?!


Question: Overheard it on the news the other night, but didnt get the full story, What exactly is it?


Answers: Overheard it on the news the other night, but didnt get the full story, What exactly is it?

It is actually coined "Popcorn workers lung" in the press. It is caused by the Diacetyl flavoring agent a component of artificial butter and causes a lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans which is chronic scaring to the airways.

It occurs in workers in microwave popcorn factories by them inhaling the Diacetyl fumes during the manufacturing process. The top four manufactures of microwave popcorn will be removing the agent by August 2008. Weaver, Conagra, General Mills, and American (Orville Redenbacher, Pop Secret, Act II etc.). The risk has not translated as severely for consumers as it has for workers which have a much more direct exposure to the fumes for longer periods of time. Hope that helps.

I guess there was this guy in Colorado who ate microwave popcorn everyday and got popcorn lung. There is an additive in the popcorn butter (I'm sorry I cant remember what it is called) that can affect your lungs. When you pop a bag, shake it and open the bag away from you, do not inhale the steam that comes out of the bag. I got some microwave popcorn the other day that did not have the additive. I guess they are getting rid of it, and the butter tasted just fine to me :).

A Respiratory Therapist told me not to breath in microwave popcorn fumes.

I use a hot air popper - very good, very cheap, and no fumes.

wow. guess i need to watch the news more. never heard of this but it will be interesting to learn about!

k.star88 aced it.

i heard or read the same news she did.





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories