There's been some concern that microwave popcorn can cause lung cancer or disease. While there's no established link between the popcorn and lung cancer, there is a link established between one of the flavoring agent chemicals and a lung condition called bronchiolitis obliterans, which can be quite severe.
Popcorn Myths
One of the most common rumors about microwave popcorn is that it can cause lung cancer. This misconception stems from the combination of two separate health issues in which the popcorn is implicated. One of the chemicals in microwave popcorn increases risk of lung disease -- though not cancer. Another chemical, this time in the nonstick coating on popcorn bags, is associated with increased risk of cancer, though not lung cancer.
Popcorn Lung
The lung condition associated with microwave popcorn is sometimes called "popcorn lung," but its proper medical name is bronchiolitis obliterans. It results from exposure to chemicals or particles in the air that irritate the small airways in the lungs and scar them. Over time, the scarring decreases the elasticity of these small airways, and makes it very difficult to exhale. The effect is similar to that of COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Diacetyl
The chemical associated with "popcorn lung" is called diacetyl, and is a component of microwave popcorn's flavoring agent. There aren't reported cases of individuals who consume microwave popcorn getting bronchiolitis obliterans simply from eating the snack, but factory workers who are exposed to the chemical in large quantities and on a regular basis have increase susceptibility to the lung disease, according to a May 2007 article in "Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine."
General Guidelines
Generally speaking, you're probably not going to get lung disease from eating microwave popcorn; you're simply not exposed to the same amounts and concentrations of diacetyl when you make the popcorn to which you'd be exposed as a factory worker. However, it's probably a good idea to avoid breathing the hot vapors that escape the popcorn bag as you first open it; you may wish to let your popcorn cool a bit before smelling or consuming it.
References
- "Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine"; Mortality Among Employees of a Perfluorooctanoic Acid Production Plant; Frank Gilliland et al; September 1993
- "Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine"; Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome in Chemical Workers Producing Diacetyl for Food Flavorings; Frits van Rooy et al; May 2007
- National Jewish Health: Bronchiolitis Obliterans
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