Popcorn Ingredient Causes Lung Cancer

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U.S. government experts reported yesterday that a chemical used to give microwave popcorn its buttery flavor was shown to damage the lungs and airways of mice, according to a Reuters article.

The chemical, diacetyl, can cause a condition known as lymphocytic bronchiolitis, which can lead to obliterative bronchiolitis or "popcorn lung," a rare and debilitating disease found in workers at microwave popcorn packaging plants and at least one consumer, according to the article. Laboratory mice inhaled diacetyl vapors for three months and developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis.

ConAgra Foods Inc and Weaver Popcorn Co Inc are two companies who have said recently they would stop using diacetyl.

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