Popcorn Lung?

US man awarded $7.2 million after developing lung condition

If you’re planning to sit down and watch a movie tonight, you might want to think twice about eating a bag of microwave popcorn–or at least, inhaling that delicious buttery popcorn smell.

A man in Colorado has been awarded $7.2 million in damages for developing a chronic, irreversible disease known as “popcorn lung.”

The condition, which causes breathing difficulties, is caused by diacetyl, a chemical used in the flavouring of microwave popcorn.

Wayne Watson was diagnosed with the disease in 2007 after years of breathing in the smell of the microwave popcorn that he said he ate daily.  He is the first known consumer of microwave popcorn to be diagnosed with the condition, according to his attorney, Kenneth McClain.

Jurors found that Glister-Mary Lee Corp, the private labeling manufacturer of the microwave popcorn, and King Soopers, the supermarket chain that sold the popcorn, were negligent for failing to properly label popcorn packages and inform consumers that diacetyl was hazardous.

Glister-Mary Lee Corp was found liable for 80% of the $7.2 million award, while King Soopers and it’s parent company, Kroger, were found liable for 20%.  King Soopers and Kroger intend to appeal the decision.

With files from Reuters