Popcorn disease

In 2006 NCOD published an alert on buttering flavoring and lung diseases (Boteraroma en de popcornwerkers long (dutch)), the so called popcorn workers disease, possible caused by exposure to diacetyl.

Recently two interesting new publications shed more light on this occupational disease.

The first one is a review by Richard Kanwal (NIOSH, CDC, Morgan Town, West Virginia, USA) called Bronchiolitis obliterans in workers exposed to flavoring chemicals.

His summary: Workers who manufacture or use flavorings can be subjected to repeated intense exposures to flavoring chemicals. Affected workers can progress to severe fixed airways obstruction in as little as 7 months. Since medical treatment is generally ineffective, early identification of affected workers and removal from further exposure, along with control of exposures to protect coworkers, are essential to minimize this hazard. 

Bronchiolitis obliterans in workers exposed to flavoring chemicals. Current opinion in pulmonary medicine [1070-5287] Kanwal yr:2008 vol:14 iss:2 pg:141 -6

The second one is mentioned in a recent article on http://www.reuters.com/:
Popcorn ingredient causes lung disease: U.S. study

A chemical used to give butter flavor to popcorn can damage the lungs and airways of mice. Tests on mice show that diacetyl, a component of artificial butter flavoring, can cause a condition known as lymphocytic bronchiolitis, said the team at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health. 

The condition can lead to obliterative bronchiolitis — or “popcorn lung” — a rare and debilitating disease seen in workers at microwave popcorn packaging plants and at least one consumer.

Laboratory mice made to inhale diacetyl vapors for three months developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis, the NIEHS team said. “This is one of the first studies to evaluate the respiratory toxicity of diacetyl at levels relevant to human health,” Daniel Morgan at NIEHS, whose team led the study, said in a statement. 

Writing in the journal Toxicological Sciences, the researchers said findings suggest that workplace exposure to diacetyl contributes to the development of obliterative bronchiolitis.

Respiratory toxicity of diacetyl in C57BL/6 mice. Toxicological Sciences [1096-6080] Morgan yr:2008 vol:103 iss:1 pg:169 -80