
When inhaled over prolonged periods, the chemical scars sensitive lung tissue, and triggers the onset of bronchiolitis obliterans. This is an irreversible and serious condition impeding breathing. The popcorn industry no longer uses Diacetyl
Diacetyl
Diacetyl is an organic compound with the chemical formula₂. It is a yellow or green liquid with an intensely buttery flavor. It is a vicinal diketone with the molecular formula C₄H₆O₂. Diacetyl occurs naturally in alcoholic beverages and is added to some foods to impart its buttery flavor.
Full Answer
Can vaping cause popcorn lung?
In a 2019 report from the University of Rochester, 11 of 12 patients (92 percent) who were admitted to the hospital for vaping-related illness had used an e-cigarette product that contained THC. Popcorn lung is an extremely rare lung disease, and it’s hard to say with certainty how common it is among people who vape.
What are the main ingredients in popcorn vape?
These ingredients include: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings such as vanillin, diacetyl, and cinnamaldehyde. What are the Risks of Popcorn Lung or Cancer? The consensus is that the more we process the vaping product away from raw cannabis flower, the greater the health risks.
What is popcorn lung and how can you prevent it?
The lung condition now known as popcorn lung was first discovered when workers in a popcorn factory developed breathing problems after inhaling diacetyl, a chemical that’s used to give foods a buttery flavor. Diacetyl is also found in some liquids that are inhaled through an e-cigarette.
What is the rate of incidence of popcorn lung?
Over the last year, e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury (EVALI), which include bronchiolitis obliterans from diacetyl exposure (aka: popcorn lung) have skyrocketed in people who vape. , as of February 18, 2020, there have been 2,807 confirmed cases of EVALI in the United States and 68 confirmed deaths.

Can vaping pop a lung?
You don't know you have them, unless they rupture. Smoking — and now vaping — are associated with an increased risk of bursting these blisters, leading to lung collapse.
Which vape flavors contain diacetyl?
Some flavorings offered by come e-cig companies contain diacetyl. Some of the flavors that have been reported to contain the chemical are cherry, custard, and pastry flavors. Blending e-liquid is a job for professional chemists and needs to take place in a professional lab.
What does flavored vape do to your lungs?
New research appearing in the journal Scientific Reports unpacks the list of chemicals that comprise flavored e-liquids and pods used in vaping and details their harmful effects to lung tissue, including inflammation and genetic damage that could indicate long-term risk for respiratory disease and even cancer.
Can popcorn lungs be healed?
There's no cure for popcorn lung. You'll need to have life-long care to manage the symptoms, which may not always respond well to treatment.
What is the safest vaping juice?
If that doesn't appeal to you, check out the best diacetyl-free e-liquids.Black Note. Black Note provides premium e-juice for the true tobacco connoisseur. ... VaporFi. VaporFi is on a mission to change smoker's lives. ... Kind Juice. Kind Juice provides a departure from your typical boring e-juice. ... Cosmic Fog.
Do all vapes have diacetyl?
There can be diacetyl in e-liquid. It's not always present, but it is in some e-liquids on the market. The source of diacetyl and AP in e-liquids is the flavorings used to make them. The most obvious ones are e-juices with buttery flavors, like custards and other sweet desserts.
What vape flavors are harmful?
Researchers also determined that vanilla custard flavoring is the most toxic of the varieties tested. “This experiment told us that the flavoring chemicals added to vaping devices can increase harm beyond what the nicotine alone can do,” Dr. Noujaim says.
Are flavored vapes worse for you?
Blaha says there's limited evidence that vape juice flavors themselves are dangerous to individual users. But there are unknowns — research suggests that flavors, when combined with other vape juice ingredients and heated, can create new compounds that may be harmful.
Is there a healthy vape?
There are no actual health benefits.” The CDC has found that these flavors are a big part of the reason teens are latching onto these products.
Why do I wheeze after vaping?
A consequential cross-sectional study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has offered additional evidence that electronic nicotine product (ENP) use, also known as “vaping,” among young adults is linked with an increased likelihood of developing a dry nighttime cough and ...
How do you prevent popcorn lung?
The best way to prevent popcorn lung is to limit exposure to harmful toxins and chemicals. Make sure you're protected at work, and, if you smoke, quit smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Many people find it hard to quit on their own. It may take multiple tries, too.
What's worse smoking or vaping?
1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.
What is the name of the disease caused by a microwave popcorn factory?
When inhaled over prolonged periods, the chemical scars sensitive lung tissue, and triggers the onset of bronchiolitis obliterans.
Is it safe to smoke e-cigarettes?
Still, there is growing concern about the other ingredients often hidden within the liquids. These ingredients, while perhaps safe for oral ingestion, are yet to undergo studies for inhalation.
Does smoking cannabis cause lung cancer?
There is no evidence connecting cannabis smoke to lung or respiratory cancers, and little evidence of other severe long-term health issues. Cannabis smokers do generally experience a higher risk of developing bronchitis, as well as experiencing heightened issues with asthma and increased phlegm production over the short term.
Is e-cigarettes regulated?
The e-cigarette industry is not regulated like the tobacco or cannabis industry, and many of these additional ingredients have not undergone tests for human inhalation. These ingredients include: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings such as vanillin, diacetyl, and cinnamaldehyde.
Does popcorn contain diacetyl?
The popcorn industry no longer uses Diacetyl. It is, unfortunately, present in many vaping products with vanilla, caramel, or other buttery flavors. Until further research occurs about the safety of additional ingredients included in cannabis vape products, steer clear.
How Did Popcorn Lung Become Linked with Vaping?
In 2015, a single study was conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. It looked at whether e-cigarette liquid contained diacetyl. Only 51 of over 4000 available flavors were tested. 39 of the 51 e-liquids tested contained some level of the flavor chemical.
Hillary Miles
Hillary, BECG's editor and contributing author has been an advocate for the vaping industry since 2009. After a long career writing and producing for national television networks, Hillary now focuses on tobacco harm reduction, health and well-being.
Is vaping better than smoking?
But research so far shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco, and can help people to stop smoking. For the best chance of quitting, get support from a Stop Smoking Service, who can help you find the right tools for you.
Is diacetyl in e-cigarettes?
In the UK, diacetyl was ban ned in e-cigarette liquids under the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in 2016. So, e-liquids sold in the UK shouldn’t contain diacetyl. E-cigarettes are a relatively new product – they aren’t risk-free and we don’t yet know their long-term impact.
Can e-cigarettes cause popcorn lung?
No. There’s no good evidence that e-cigarettes could cause the lung condition called popcorn lung. There’s been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung reported in people who use e -cigarettes. If you're someone who smokes, the best thing you can do for your health is to stop.
Is popcorn lung rare?
Although popcorn lung is very rare, some e-cigarette users may worry about it. A link between breathing in a chemical called diacetyl was made when a group of popcorn factory workers were found to have the rare condition. It was not related to use of e-cigarettes.
What is the flavor of e juice?
For a smooth flavor, E-juices basically contain Propylene Glycol (P.G.), Vegetable Glycerin (V.G.), or both. These ingredients are then combined with flavors (either natural or artificial) such as cherry, mint, grape, and many more. The blend of the base and flavorings create the unique experience that vapers get.
Is Propylene glycol a toxic substance?
Propylene glycol (P.G.): This ingredient is non-toxic, and it is mainly used to carry flavors in food products, as an additive in various medicines, and as an ingredient in food coloring. P.G. can be used alone in your vape, but for a smoother consistency, it is best to combine with V.G.
