Certain E-Cigarette Flavors Linked to Lung Disease ‘Popcorn Lung’

Up to 75 percent of flavored e-cigarette liquids may contain the chemical Diacetyl, which Harvard researchers have linked to respiratory disease.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers selected 51 flavors from major brands and found the flavoring compound Diacetyl in 39 of them.

Diacetyl is used in many rich artificial flavors, like popcorn butter, butterscotch, caramel and pina colada.

The Centers for Disease Control list Diacetyl as a workplace hazard if inhaled. Workers in microwave popcorn factories are exposed to the compound when the flavoring is being applied to popcorn because it aerates.

Long-term exposure to Diacetyl can cause a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that scars lung tissue called Bronchiolitis obliterans. The disease is commonly referred to as “popcorn lung.”

The Harvard study contained a table of flavors known to contain Diacetyl:

The research team is requesting further research be conducted into Diacetyl flavoring and e-cigarettes.