Why popcorn lung is increasingly affecting young adults as urgent warning issued

By admin 09.11.2025 3 min read

A warning has been issued to young people over ‘popcorn lung’, a nasty and irreversible condition also known as bronchiolitis obliterans. Popcorn lung is often associated with vaping and e-cigarettes, thanks to the chemicals used inside, including one called diacetyl.

In an article for The Conversation, Professor of Chemistry at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Donal O’Shea, revealed the term ‘popcorn lung’ came about in the year 2000 after several workers developed lung problems from working at a microwave popcorn factory, which used diacetyl. Similarly to the popcorn factory, flavoured vapes contain the chemical diacetyl – which, when aerosolised, becomes a ‘toxic inhalant’.

“It causes inflammation and scarring in the bronchioles (the smallest branches of the lungs), making it increasingly difficult for air to move through,” said O’Shea.

“There’s no cure for popcorn lung. Once the lungs are damaged, treatment is limited to managing symptoms.

“This can include bronchodilators, steroids, and in extreme cases, lung transplantation. For this reason, prevention – not treatment – is the best and only defence.”

What causes popcorn lung?

For those working at the popcorn factory, the result of inhaling diacetyl meant permanent and disabling lung damage.

Diacetyl is now officially banned in e-cigarettes in the EU and UK, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t end up in illegal products.

It also remains in products in the US and other jurisdictions.

Cancer Research UK explains that popcorn lung can be caused by other factors, too. For example, if the lungs are damaged by an infection, or if chemicals have led to irritation and damage.

Is there a link between popcorn lung and vaping?

One of the main concerns about vaping is that researchers do not currently know enough about the habit, and the consequences it can have.

However, we do know that vaping is on the rise among young people.

In the UK, there are more over-16s using vapes or e-cigarettes than normal cigarettes, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Meanwhile, daily use of vapes is most common among 25-49 year olds.

In the US last year, the CDC report that e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students. Among students who had ever used e-cigarettes, 43.6 percent reported current use.

While the link between popcorn lung and vaping is still limited, The American Lung Association has described popcorn lung as ‘a dangerous risk of flavored e-cigarettes’.

What are the symptoms of popcorn lung?

There are two main symptoms of popcorn lung which typically begin to occur between two weeks and two months after you’ve been around a toxic gas or had an illness.

WebMD reports that the main symptoms are:

– A dry cough
– Shortness of breath

These symptoms are more likely to occur while carrying out exercise or heavy labor.

Other symptoms of the condition include feeling tired without an obvious reason, or wheezing even if you don’t have asthma or a cold.

Cleveland Clinic reports that additional symptoms include fever, night sweats or a skin rash, though it’s possible for people who develop popcorn lung to initially not have any symptoms at all.