Popcorn Flavor Spurs Factory Workers' Lung Disease
Thu Apr 25, 5:40 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Workers who mix and package flavored microwave popcorn or are involved in other flavoring manufacturing seem to be at high risk for a serious lung disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites) (CDC) reported Thursday. In some cases, the condition could cause lungs to fail, possibly requiring a lung transplant.

The report is a follow-up to last year's widely published news of severe lung illnesses in eight people who all worked in a small Missouri microwave popcorn factory. Initially, health officials did not associate their illnesses with their jobs. After the eight cases accumulated and came to the attention of a lawyer, an eagle-eyed physician brought it to the attention of the state.

Missouri brought the CDC's National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in to investigate, said Kathleen Kreiss, chief of NIOSH's field studies branch of the division of respiratory disease studies.

"We're dealing with something that has not been described before. It's a new hazard," Kreiss told Reuters Health.

The eight workers had no other risk factors for lung disease, but became severely ill. Four were put on a transplant list, and the others were sick enough to require transplants, said Kreiss. Since they all have stabilized, none have gotten a transplant.

They had a respiratory illness called bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe, obstructive lung disease that has normally been seen in people who were exposed to a toxic irritant in a big spill. In these workers, it appears they became ill from long-term exposure to something at the factory, Kreiss noted.

After studying conditions at the plant, investigators concluded that workers were likely getting sick from exposure to chemicals being given off by flavor additives being mixed into the popcorn.

Soybean oil, salt and flavorings are mixed in a large heated vat. The heat produces visible dust, aerosols and vapors with a strong buttery odor, according to the report, which was published in the April 26th issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The vapors were found in greatest concentration around the mixers, and in lesser amounts near the packaging operation. Not surprisingly, mixers were at higher risk for illness than packagers. But NIOSH still does not know what chemical, or chemicals, are causing the illness. That will take animal testing, Kreiss said.

In the meantime, the agency has worked with the Missouri plant to increase ventilation and protect workers with breathing masks. Those who have failing lung function have been urged to get medical help.

While the problem was severe at the Missouri plant, it was not likely isolated. All workers in flavor manufacturing may have some risk, depending on their exposure and the plant's ability to limit exposure, Kreiss pointed out. NIOSH has gotten only a few reports of similar lung illnesses elsewhere, but is asking physicians and manufacturers to keep an eye out for symptoms in workers.

"We do believe there is a hazard in the manufacturing and the use in some circumstances of flavorings," Kreiss said.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51.

As much as I like the stuff, I can't munch on it anymore unless it is made in some tasteless crap like Canola oil.