Clinical Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Workers at a Microwave-Popcorn Plant

Abstract

The excess rates of lung disease and lung-function abnormalities and the relation between exposure and outcomes in this working population indicate that they probably had occupational bronchiolitis obliterans caused by the inhalation of volatile butter-flavoring ingredients.

Evaluation of Electronic Cigarette Liquids and Aerosol for the Presence of Selected Inhalation Toxins

“…Additionally it has been implicated in the development of bronchiolitis obliterans, an irreversible respiratory disease also called "popcorn lung disease" because it was initially observed in workers of popcorn factories. [11][12][13] To the best of our knowledge, the issue of DA presence in EC liquids was first mentioned in 2008 in EC consumers' forums (http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/health-safety-e-smoking/2666-inhaling-flavouring-chemicals.html). Subsequently, several companies released statements mentioning that DA was removed from their EC liquid products (e.g.…”

Lung function (spirometry) testing in employees at a flavorings manufacturing plant - Indiana.

“…We do not know that diacetyl is the cause of the lung disease in this company's flavoring employees. Cases of flavoring-related lung disease in microwave popcorn employees suggests that a susceptible subpopulation exists that develops disease within months and at relatively low exposures compared to mixers Kreiss et al 2002].…”

“…A case of restrictive lung disease without a nonoccupational explanation has been reported among former employees in the index microwave popcorn plant . Cases of restriction were present early in the investigation [Kreiss et al 2002] and evolved during follow-up [NIOSH 2006]. Restriction has also been noted in other microwave popcorn plants [NIOSH 2003].…”

“…Increasing cumulative exposure of workers to diacetyl has been associated with an increased prevalence of abnormal lung function [Kreiss et al 2002;Kullman et al 2005;NIOSH 2004]. In animal experiments conducted by NIOSH, rats exposed to vapors from diacetyl developed severe injury to their airways [Hubbs et al 2004].…”

European Tobacco Product Directive: How to address characterizing flavors as a matter of attractiveness?

“…Importantly, it remains to be clarified whether additives that might trigger novel risks which are usually not associated with tobacco products, should be regulated under these provisions. One important example is diacetyl (i.e., butane-2,3-dione), a flavor that can trigger certain respiratory diseases (e.g., bronchiolitis obliterans) when being inhaled (Kreiss et al 2002;Morgan et al 2008Morgan et al , 2012). Yet, until now there are no such studies for tobacco products available which could prove or exclude measureable effects at the stage of consumption.…”