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Pulmonary Experts Says Patient May Have 'Popcorn Lung'

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

Consumers, not just factory workers, may be in danger from fumes from buttery flavoring in microwave popcorn, according to a warning letter to federal regulators from a doctor at a leading lung research hospital.

A pulmonary specialist at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center has written to federal agencies to say doctors there think they have the first case of a consumer who developed lung disease from the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years.

'We cannot be sure that this patient's exposure to butter-flavored microwave popcorn from daily heavy preparation has caused his lung disease,' Cecile Rose said. But 'we have no other plausible explanation.'

The letter from July, made public Tuesday by a public health policy blog, refers to a potentially fatal disease commonly called popcorn lung that has been the subject of lawsuits by hundreds of workers at food factories exposed to chemicals used for flavoring.

In response to Rose's finding, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association issued a statement Tuesday recommending that its members reduce 'to the extent possible' the amount of diacetyl in butter flavorings they make. It noted that diacetyl is approved for use in flavors by the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA says in an e-mail that it is evaluating Rose's letter and 'carefully considering the safety and regulatory issues it raises.'

The Associated Press

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