SNHS Biology Blog 6: Popcorn Lungs

Naeema Qureshi

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Recently a vape craze has been sweeping the nations teens. Almost 18% of 8th graders are using vape products, 33% of 10th graders, and 37% of 12th graders. There are many side effects of vaping and an example of one is “popcorn lungs”.

According to CNN Health, “Popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans, is an inflammatory condition that affects the bronchioles, tiny airways in the lungs. The name is in reference to former microwave-popcorn factory workers who developed bronchiolitis obliterans after breathing in vapor from butter flavoring added to the popcorn.” This condition “implies obliterating the bronchioles, the most distal part of the lungs”, and is caused by the use of flavored vape products which cause chemical damage to the lungs.

The chemical used in vape products, diacetyl, is directly linked to popcorn lungs. It starts off as what seems like a bad cough and progresses to trouble breathing, malaise and nausea. The conditions are often subtle and easy to overlook, therefore they are commonly mistaken for other lung diseases. Symptoms typically occur within 2-8 weeks after infection and worsen over the course of several months.

The disease is now being referred to as “the new generation of lung disease”. Again in an article by CNN Health, “'These are not innocent chemicals that are in the electronic cigarette pods and the health ramifications of what we're going to be seeing is a lot of rather uncommon diseases,’ Galiatsatos said." The doctor warns us of these future ramifications and prompts us to try to make a change, and our lungs will be grateful.