A Case of Flavor-Induced Lung Disease

Bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare inflammatory disorder of the small airways, has been associated with various infections, aspiration, toxic fume inhalation, drugs, transplants, and collagen vascular disorders. In May 2000, this condition was described in eight workers in a microwave popcorn plant in Missouri. Subsequent studies reported its association with exposure to volatile organic compounds used in butter flavoring. Diacetyl was found to be the most predominant of these compounds. We report a case of this rare but serious disease in a 41-year-old flavor industry worker who was initially diagnosed with occupational asthma.