Death by popcorn
Study links microwavable popcorn to lung disease
By Natalija Milicevic
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News
On a dull residence night old horror movies may send shivers down the spine, but that's not the only frightful thing in the vicinity. Fear should be instilled by the alluring scent of perfectly-popped butter kernels from the microwave. Recently, alarms have been raised linking respiratory problems to vapours emitted when heating flavoured popcorn. With the film festival just complete, now seems to be an appropriate time to look into the choice snack of movie goers and cash-strapped students alike.
The main concern is around an ingredient in artificial butter flavouring called diacetyl. This chemical occurs naturally in butter and beer but is also manufactured. The danger lies in the vapours produced when the buttery popcorn is heated.
Concern regarding the safety of diacetyl began when American factory workers, consistently exposed to this substance, developed bronchiolitis obliterans also known as "popcorn workers lung". Since then, several investigations have been launched, including some on the consumer effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be releasing their findings in a peer reviewed journal, December of this year. Their study will look at the emissions released from cooking microwave popcorn.
In July, Dr. Cecil Rose, a researcher at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center, wrote a letter to several US agencies warning of "popcorn lung" found in a patient who was an avid consumer of the diacetyl-plagued product. Dr. Rose stated in her letter that the patient consumed "several bags of extra flavored microwave popcorn for several years." Wayne Watson was recognized as the patient who has become the first person to have developed popcorn lung purely through heavy consumption.
"I never eat out, never went to fast-food restaurants but I popped popcorn," said Watson in an interview with the Denver Post published on the 5th of September.
It is important to remember, as Rose points out in her letter that, "It is difficult to make a casual connection based on a single case report."
The main concern is around an ingredient in artificial butter flavouring called diacetyl. This chemical occurs naturally in butter and beer but is also manufactured. The danger lies in the vapours produced when the buttery popcorn is heated.
Concern regarding the safety of diacetyl began when American factory workers, consistently exposed to this substance, developed bronchiolitis obliterans also known as "popcorn workers lung". Since then, several investigations have been launched, including some on the consumer effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be releasing their findings in a peer reviewed journal, December of this year. Their study will look at the emissions released from cooking microwave popcorn.
In July, Dr. Cecil Rose, a researcher at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center, wrote a letter to several US agencies warning of "popcorn lung" found in a patient who was an avid consumer of the diacetyl-plagued product. Dr. Rose stated in her letter that the patient consumed "several bags of extra flavored microwave popcorn for several years." Wayne Watson was recognized as the patient who has become the first person to have developed popcorn lung purely through heavy consumption.
"I never eat out, never went to fast-food restaurants but I popped popcorn," said Watson in an interview with the Denver Post published on the 5th of September.
It is important to remember, as Rose points out in her letter that, "It is difficult to make a casual connection based on a single case report."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Brett Roberts
posted 9/22/07 @ 1:36 PM EST
The recommendation to go organic is not necessarily a solution. Diacetyl comes in both synthetic and natural forms. Organic popcorn could therefore have natural diacetyl. (Continued…)
Timmy
posted 3/18/08 @ 9:16 PM EST
My Friends Mum Burnt Microwave Popcorn Once! Would That Increase The Possability Of Jung Disease?
Natalija
posted 3/27/08 @ 12:26 AM EST
Dear Timmy,
I am fairly sure that the lung disease is caused by constant exposure to the vapors... so do not stress too much.
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