Pop Corn Lung

Popcorn Lung Symptoms

Introduction:

Bronchiolitis Obliterans is generally referred as popcorn lung disease because it is usually observed in the employees working in microwave popcorn plant. It is an irrevocable disease, which is usually caused due to the repeated inhalation of flavoring chemicals with buttery scent of popcorn or the vapors of Diacetyl. It is a disease caused due to the growth of fibrous tissue, which leads to the blockage of bronchioles of lungs. The common symptoms observed in the popcorn lung disease would be dry caught, weight loss, fever, skin peeling, shortness of breath etc., but eventually this leads to respiratory impairment.

Background:

Several studies were conducted by NIOSH to understand the link between occupational exposure to the artificial butter flavoring and the lung diseases detected in the workers working in such work media.

In 2000 recommendations were issued by NIOSH to Missouri popcorn plant for protecting the workers from the hazards and in 2003 an alert was sent to around 4000 business organizations using butter flavoring chemicals regarding the safeguards of the workers.

Later in 2006 a petition was submitted by United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for issuing an emergency temporary standard for the protection of employees.

The relation between the popcorn lung disease and the Diacetyle exposure was first identified by the National Institute of occupational safety and health in 2003 and 2004.

In 2007 two major companies recommended the reduced use or to discontinue the use of diacetyle in butter flavoring or food factories.

In 2007 disease was diagnosed in the person due to excessive consumption of popcorn.

In the same year a bill was introduced regarding the ban of the Diacetyl use in the workplace by California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber

Discussion:

Cause:

Bronchiolitis Obliterans is life-threatening condition, which is often wrongly...