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bunrabPopcorn Fumes Could Be Dangerous: Expert
People who are frequently exposed to fumes from butter-flavored microwave popcorn could be in danger of acquiring a pulmonary disease often called "popcorn lung," a lung specialist has warned in a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Cecile Rose said she and her colleagues at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center have identified what's believed to be the first case of a consumer who developed the disease after microwaving popcorn several times daily for years, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
"We cannot be sure that this patient's exposure to butter-flavored microwave popcorn from daily heavy preparation has caused his lung disease. However, we have no other plausible explanation," the wire service quoted Rose as saying.
Popcorn lung, a potentially fatal respiratory disease, has been the focus of lawsuits from hundreds of workers at popcorn factories who are heavily exposed to the chemicals used to produce buttery flavoring, the AP said. Symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath.
In response to Rose's letter, written in July but made public this week, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturer's Association issued a statement recommending that popcorn producers limit the amount of the chemical diacetyl in butter flavorings. One national popcorn maker, Indianapolis-based Weaver Popcorn Co., has already said it was working to replace the chemical, the wire service reported.
People who are frequently exposed to fumes from butter-flavored microwave popcorn could be in danger of acquiring a pulmonary disease often called "popcorn lung," a lung specialist has warned in a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Cecile Rose said she and her colleagues at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center have identified what's believed to be the first case of a consumer who developed the disease after microwaving popcorn several times daily for years, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
"We cannot be sure that this patient's exposure to butter-flavored microwave popcorn from daily heavy preparation has caused his lung disease. However, we have no other plausible explanation," the wire service quoted Rose as saying.
Popcorn lung, a potentially fatal respiratory disease, has been the focus of lawsuits from hundreds of workers at popcorn factories who are heavily exposed to the chemicals used to produce buttery flavoring, the AP said. Symptoms include coughing and shortness of breath.
In response to Rose's letter, written in July but made public this week, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturer's Association issued a statement recommending that popcorn producers limit the amount of the chemical diacetyl in butter flavorings. One national popcorn maker, Indianapolis-based Weaver Popcorn Co., has already said it was working to replace the chemical, the wire service reported.
