According to a warning letter by a pulmonary specialist at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center to federal regulators, the fumes from popcorn can develop lung complications in not just consumers but also factory workers.
The matter came into picture when the doctors from this leading lung research hospital say they believe to have detected the first case of a consumer who developed lung disease from exposure to the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years.
Dr. Cecile Rose told the press that it is still not sure if the cause for the patient's lung disease was his exposure to butter flavored microwave popcorn from daily heavy preparation but "...we have no other plausible explanation."
The butter flavor comes from the ingredient diacetyl, whose fumes have severely damaged the lungs of those who work in popcorn plants.
Also, diacetyl is approved for use in flavors by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Microwave popcorn plants and flavoring companies across United States have been sued by several workers from at least seven states for possible damage to their lungs when they breathed the fumes from diacetyl.
Court records say that more than 100 cases have settled out of court. Plant worker Eric People was awarded $18 million dollars in damages in 2004 for his lung damage.
Following the complaints, Weaver Popcorn Co. of Indianapolis, a popcorn manufacturer, said it would replace the butter flavouring ingredient.
Additionally, the FDA has also replied to the doctor's letter saying it is "considering the safety and regulatory issues it raises."
