What is popcorn lung?

Bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare form of lung disease. It’s commonly called popcorn lung.

Popcorn lung results in scarring and inflammation to the bronchioles. These are the lung’s smallest airways. When they’re inflamed, symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing can occur.

“Popcorn lung” may sound strange, but it got that name for a good reason. Workers in a popcorn factory became sick after breathing in harmful chemicals.

One of those chemicals is diacetyl. It’s an artificial butter-flavored ingredient found in:

  • popcorn
  • fruit drinks
  • caramel
  • some dairy products