Imagine thinking your favorite vape flavor is harmless — only to find out it could be permanently damaging your lungs. That’s the reality behind a growing public health concern known as “popcorn lung.”
Officially called bronchiolitis obliterans, this rare but devastating disease causes inflammation and scarring in the smallest airways of the lungs, known as bronchioles. Once those passages are damaged, air can’t flow properly — leaving sufferers with chronic coughing, shortness of breath, and a tight, heavy sensation in their chest.
The name “popcorn lung” dates back to the early 2000s, when factory workers at microwave popcorn plants developed severe respiratory problems from inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used to give popcorn its rich, buttery flavor. The discovery led to widespread bans of diacetyl in food production — but the danger didn’t disappear. It resurfaced in a new form: flavored e-cigarettes and vaping liquids.
Studies have found that some vape products — especially unregulated or counterfeit ones — still contain diacetyl or similar flavoring chemicals. When inhaled deep into the lungs, these substances can cause the same type of scarring once seen in those popcorn factory workers. And unlike many temporary lung irritations, popcorn lung is irreversible.
