A new warning has been issued to young people about popcorn lung, a serious and permanent condition officially known as bronchiolitis obliterans. Experts say the illness is strongly linked to vaping and e-cigarettes because of certain harmful chemicals used inside them.
Professor Donal O’Shea from a medical university explained in an interview that the term popcorn lung started back in 2000. It came from cases involving factory workers who developed lung problems after being exposed to diacetyl, a flavoring chemical used in microwave popcorn.
Vape products often use that same chemical, and when it turns into a vapor, it becomes a toxic inhalant. O’Shea said: “It causes inflammation and scarring in the bronchioles, making it increasingly difficult for air to move through.”
He also said: “There’s no cure for popcorn lung. Once the lungs are damaged, treatment is limited to managing symptoms. This can include bronchodilators, steroids, and in extreme cases, lung transplantation. For this reason, prevention – not treatment – is the best and only defence.”
Workers at popcorn factories who breathed in diacetyl ended up with serious, lasting damage to their lungs. The chemical has since been banned in e-cigarettes in the UK and EU, but it still shows up in illegal vapes and remains legal in other parts of the world, including the US.
Cancer research experts say popcorn lung can also come from infections or irritation caused by other chemicals. They add that damage to the lungs can happen even when vaping doesn’t involve diacetyl, and the long-term effects are still being studied.
Vaping continues to rise among young people. In the UK, more adults over 16 now use vapes than traditional cigarettes, and daily use is highest among those between 25 and 49. In the US, a health report showed that e-cigarettes were the most used tobacco product among students, with nearly half of those who had ever vaped saying they still use them.
The American Lung Association has warned that popcorn lung is one of the dangerous risks connected to flavored e-cigarettes. While research is still limited, experts say the pattern is concerning.
The two main symptoms of popcorn lung are a dry cough and shortness of breath. They usually begin within a few weeks after exposure to a toxic gas or illness and often show up during exercise or hard labor.
Other symptoms can include unexplained tiredness or wheezing, even if the person doesn’t have asthma. Some people also experience fever, night sweats, or a rash. In some cases, the symptoms may not appear right away, which makes early detection even harder.
