Popcorn Ingredient Causes Lung Disease
By: Web Producer
Updated: March 14, 2008
Study Indicates Popcorn Ingredient Causes Lung Disease
(Washington, DC) -- Government experts say a chemical used to give butter flavor to popcorn can damage the lungs and airways of mice.
Researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences say tests show that diacetyl, a component of artificial butter flavoring, can cause a condition known as lymphocytic bronchiolitis.
Laboratory mice made to inhale diacetyl vapors for three months developed the condition.
It can lead to obliterative bronchiolitis, or "popcorn lung," a rare and debilitating disease seen in workers at microwave popcorn packaging plants.
Microwave popcorn makers ConAgra Foods and Weaver Popcorn have said theyll discontinue using diacetyl.
The study is published in the journal "Toxicological Sciences."
(Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions)
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