Popcorn lung affected person awarded US $7.2 million

A person was awarded US $ 7.2 million having been affected with popcorn lung problem i.e  a form of obstructive lung disease that makes it difficult for air to flow out of the lungs and is irreversible, due to the inhalation of artificial butter flavor chemical (diacetyl) in the microwave popcorn, which he ate daily.  It is reported that he ate two bags daily for 10 years. He claimed that there are no warning labels on the popcorn bags about the dangers. Though the manufacturing company and super market that sold popcorn argued that the person got the problem from chemicals he used for years in his profession as a carpet cleaner, jurors agreed to the compensation claims made by the affected person.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57516710-10391704/colorado-man-wayne-watson-wins-$7-million-in-popcorn-lung-lawsuit/ 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Colorado-man-wins-7-2m-in-damages-for-popcorn-lung/articleshow/16483617.cms

It is reported that major manufacturers of popcorn stopped using diacetyl and are using 2,3-pentanedione which is also found to be a respiratory hazard. 

http://www.livescience.com/23360-microwave-popcorn-lung.html

The symptoms of popcorn lung disease include, scarring and hardening of lung tissue, dry cought, shortness of breath, night sweats, fever, skin peeling. 

Information on flavor related lung disease can be found from NIOSH website here. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flavorings/