copd.net/living/popcorn-lun...
Popcorn Lung is an irreversible scarring in the smallest airways in the lungs. This mainly affects those who work in the popcorn manufacturing plants or even in the flavoring facilities, where they breathe in vapors of the buttery, tasty chemical called Diacetyl. This is a natural ingredient that is in butter, cheese yogurt and even wine, which manufacturers use to flavor their popcorn1.
Diacetyl isn’t harmful when swallowed, but if large amounts are inhaled, it can damage lungs. There have been severe cases where the employees had to have lung transplants. Diacetyl also causes a shortness of breath, wheezing, dry cough, phlegm, fatigue, headache, aches, pains and nausea. The vapors can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and skin. It may lead to fixed airway restriction or obstruction. Diacetyl is also known as butanedione, 2,3-butandedione and food flavorings containing diacetyl (FFCD)2
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