Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) is a serious, but uncommon, lung disease caused by a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs which hinders the flow of air.
It got its name when workers in a popcorn factory developed the condition after breathing in the chemical diacetyl which was used to give popcorn a buttery flavour.
According to Cancer Research UK:
- E-cigarettes don’t cause the condition known as popcorn lung
- There have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung reported in people who use e-cigarettes
Diacetyl is banned as a vape flavouring in both the UK and the EU but it is one of the thousands of chemicals found in cigarette smoke.
Source: Cancer Research UK