Think vaping is no big deal? Read this about popcorn lung

Written by: Deepa Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra 4 August 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-214de01b-7e16-4c3d-80a4-fabbbfcd4c33","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1435b055-468d-4d0a-9395-22dc2f67fda7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 176.21671%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] “Popcorn lung” sounds benign, but it is a serious lung condition that can cause irreversible damage. Photo Credit: Freepik

[{"selector":"#anim-93a40fbe-9aee-47fb-ba73-27b7e714b646","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3c0befe6-f8f4-4b4c-9d92-3c676d2e8cec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 219.81678%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Here’s what you really should know to stay safe and informed. Photo Credit: Freepik

What Is Popcorn Lung?

[{"selector":"#anim-eb7d57ff-756f-4ebe-8b62-a5c5292e7af1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ff4b89f-dfc1-45fe-9b73-fecb16ac8562","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 125.42485%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fcac252-b1db-425d-88c8-30369595203a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5b7d5d2-3ebd-49c1-9789-0b03eedf588d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 406.30194%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans, is a rare lung condition in which the small airways in the lungs are scarred and narrowed so that it is difficult to breathe. Photo Credit: Freepik

Why the Name “Popcorn Lung”?

[{"selector":"#anim-bd36d9a9-0617-44f5-861f-93273ba463c2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aeea4e52-02c4-4f63-a832-6716482dcb89","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 123.62997%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-68aa8c71-f54b-4d6c-ad35-0841fdae06d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-671676c0-b6fd-4242-88a3-f32b211da4d5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 495.85423%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The name comes from employees of a microwave popcorn plant who developed popcorn lung after exposing themselves to diacetyl, a chemical used to flavor popcorn and some vaping products. Photo Credit: Freepik

Vaping Increases Your Risk of Popcorn Lung

[{"selector":"#anim-33858e1a-2218-48b1-b0d3-3c72644ab175","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c910e128-fe2d-48bf-9491-bf58085e3951","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 119.68254%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5bc488a-3dda-4f16-849d-cf2c239914c1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d99c80e-c8ba-41b0-866b-f37873820ec3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 359.41034%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Many flavored e-cigarettes and vapes contain diacetyl. Users are still at risk for the same harmful effects. Regular vaping has been shown to increase your chances of developing popcorn lung symptoms over time. Photo Credit: Freepik

Symptoms of Popcorn Lung

[{"selector":"#anim-21ee9ce1-3219-4750-9d11-d3f5004f6a98","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6e5bc3e2-ada2-47a8-b707-7c1c78c362fb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 123.62997%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9dcb9969-d8f4-4812-a5d4-9f77a4d8a605","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-27720d6f-4424-4183-9347-477ba312e247","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 495.85423%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] -Persistent dry cough -Shortness of breath -Wheezing (especially without asthma) -Fatigue Note: Seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms do not resolve. Photo Credit: Freepik

There's No Cure—Only Management

[{"selector":"#anim-b862266a-bc08-4ffb-ad12-c6d8f7b9f506","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ebeeaa3-738b-4549-8ead-76fa790ca5a9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 125.42485%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d58e8deb-be3f-4eed-a535-9f2096f0fb85","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5def026-b2e4-4d51-9194-a0a9cd64f279","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 406.30194%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Popcorn lung is not reversible, treatment centers on management of symptoms using inhalers, corticosteroids and in severe cases, lung transplants. Photo Credit: Freepik

Not Just Vapes—Other Triggers Too

[{"selector":"#anim-7b61bbd9-a709-4e8b-a2bf-ab3251fb4993","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-19068622-c3fa-478a-a93e-d356bb7e7b4a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.19501%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72dc106d-ad11-4923-9f64-3d3a69b61f7d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62457c60-2146-46de-9698-0a2284710e09","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 466.00353%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In addition to diacetyl, chemical fumes, metal oxidants, the local ammonia and industrial toxins are potential exposures that can lead to popcorn lung. It is not a solely matter of vaping. Photo Credit: Freepik

Is It Common?

[{"selector":"#anim-9b8516de-4ea2-426b-8626-3c2c6c22d370","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4232a4e1-6a61-4bb5-856b-b8abc4195447","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.19501%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81e32a3f-a764-4aa0-86d5-b906bf9b4b67","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d5168f4-9e13-43ed-8968-03ca9e145d38","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 783.95105%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Rare, but underdiagnosed. People generally confuse popcorn lung with asthma or COPD. At least for popcorn lung, early identification and cessation of exposure can prevent deterioration. Photo Credit: Freepik

How to Protect Yourself?

[{"selector":"#anim-7cd4571e-9dab-4304-8b18-925facd0dfee","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fff92fc8-ccaf-4f30-bd7f-17dd89b59998","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 119.68254%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4db64239-3a4e-4d76-9935-2b3de9febe63","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ad0d874-919a-44ac-94b4-931cd1bd2aa6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 525.70503%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] -Avoid vaping & e-cigs -Use masks in industries where chemicals are involved -Get your lungs checked regularly if you are regularly exposed to chemicals -Watch for early symptoms like cough or tightness Photo Credit: Freepik

Final Takeaway

[{"selector":"#anim-8a8854c3-3801-4370-b53c-217d2a07b834","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-071cb389-db1c-40cb-8d91-7313e030f9cf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 119.68254%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50e78e6e-3207-44b0-9d92-1686892fb65c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6fb6d53-bd9f-4fe3-aeac-a61ba9558bc5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 895.06218%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Popcorn lung sounds silly, but it is serious. If you are vaping or work around chemicals, awareness is your best defense. Always consult your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms. Don't ignore what your lungs are trying to tell you. Photo Credit: Freepik

If you found this helpful,

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