"Popcorn Lung" Death

Ben Glass

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A Colorado man who is believed to be the only consumer to develop "popcorn lung" from regular microwave popcorn servings has filed a personal injury suit for injuries from the artificial butter flavoring which had only sickened workers at popcorn factories previously.

According to Kenneth McClain, the attorney for Wayne Watson, The Kroger Co. and two of its divisions: Dillon Companies Inc. and Inter-American Products Inc. have been named as defendants in the suit filed in U.S. District Court.
The case of Watson's "popcorn lung" and his diet of two bags of popcorn a day gained nationwide attention last year when he was diagnosed by doctors at National Jewish Hospital with the rare condition, which has been linked to diacetyl, a flavor chemical.

According to the lawsuit, in which unspecified damages are sought, the companies showed a failure to warn that preparing the popcorn as intended and smelling the aroma of the butter could expose the consumer to a risk of lung injury through an inhalation hazard.
Popcorn lung, which is officially known as bronchiolitis obliterans has generally been associated with those who work in popcorn plants mixing large vats of flavors. Hundreds of workers have complained of severe lung disease or other respiratory illnesses from the inhalation of diacetyl va