What Is Popcorn Lung
Popcorn lung is the common name for bronchiolitis obliterans, a condition that scars and narrows the smallest airways in the lungs. The nickname comes from early cases among workers exposed to flavoring chemicals in popcorn factories.
How Vaping May Be Linked to Popcorn Lung
Some e-cigarette liquids contain diacetyl, a butter-flavoring chemical linked to popcorn lung in factory settings. When inhaled as vapor, diacetyl can irritate and damage the bronchioles. Research shows many flavored vapes include this compound, even when labels do not list it.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Outlook
Common symptoms include dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and fatigue that worsen over time. Diagnosis usually involves lung function tests, imaging, and sometimes a biopsy. Because symptoms overlap with asthma or COPD, vaping history is important for accurate diagnosis.
For more details on popcorn lung and chemical exposure risks, visit the American Lung Association at https://www.lung.org.
