US Man Wins $25 Million After Developing ‘Popcorn Lung’ From Cooking Spray; Symptoms & How to Protect Yourself

A man in the United States has been awarded $25 million (Rs 226 crore) by a court after he developed a rare chronic lung disease, popcorn lung, from an ingredient that was used in the popular cooking spray PAM. Also known as bronchiolitis obliterans, the condition is a rare, yet irreversible and serious lung disease caused by the scarring and narrowing of the small airways. According to the news reports, 58-year-old Roland Esparza filed the lawsuit against the company, alleging that the use of diacetyl in the butter spray was the primary reason for his irreversible progressive respiratory disease. A jury in Los Angeles Superior Court ruled in Esparza's favour after finding that the company did not warn consumers of the dangers of inhaling fumes

from the buttery spray. “He was a big health nut, bodybuilder, martial artist. He was eating a lot of protein, eating a lot of eggs, and he cooked everything on his stove top. And so, he was using it multiple times a day,” Esparza’s lawyer was quoted as saying by the Chicago Tribune. The lawyer also added that Esparaza would soon need to undergo a lung transplant, but time might be running out, as he needs a double lung transplant.

What is a popcorn lung?

Popcorn lung severely affects your bronchioles – the smallest airways in your lungs. It causes inflammation, damage that you cannot reverse, and scarring. Doctors say even though popcorn lung is rare, an infection or breathing in toxic substances can result in it or cause it. It can occur in people with connective tissue disease, like rheumatoid arthritis, and can also affect people after a lung transplant surgery. About 1 in 2 people who have lung transplants will develop popcorn lung within five years of their procedures.

Why is the condition known as popcorn lung?

The name most probably derives from the fact that it was first identified among workers in a microwave popcorn factory. The workers breathed in diacetyl – the chemical that makes popcorn taste buttery. Many popcorn manufacturers no longer use diacetyl in their popcorn. Other industries also use diacetyl to flavour products, which includes coffee roasting plants. Diacetyl naturally releases during the process of roasting coffee beans.

What are the signs and symptoms of popcorn lungs?

While there are no symptoms of popcorn lung at first, a few common signs of popcorn lung include:

• Breathlessness, especially during or after physical activity
• Coughing – usually a dry cough, especially during or after physical activity
• Wheezing
• Tiredness

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Does popcorn lung ever go away?

While there is no cure for popcorn lung, the damage does not go away. However, there is treatment available to help slow the damage and relieve your symptoms. At first, you need to totally avoid exposure to any substances that cause popcorn lung. If you work around substances and chemicals that can be harmful, take adequate steps and precautions like wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) or an N95 mask. Also, if you smoke or vape, quit immediately. Depending on how serious your popcorn lung condition is, your doctor may recommend:

• Corticosteroids like prednisone are used to fight inflammation
• Inhalers that help you breathe comfortably
• Oxygen therapy
• Lung transplant in very serious cases