A 17-year-old has been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, commonly known as “popcorn lung,” after three years of vaping—a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with e-cigarettes. The condition, which is irreversible, results in permanent damage to the lungs’ smallest airways, obstructing airflow and making breathing progressively difficult.

What Is Popcorn Lung?

“Popcorn lung” earned its nickname from a cluster of cases in the early 2000s involving workers at microwave popcorn factories. These individuals developed severe respiratory issues linked to inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used to create buttery flavors. When aerosolized, diacetyl becomes a toxic inhalant that triggers inflammation and scarring in the bronchioles—the lung’s narrowest passageways. Once damaged, these airways do not heal, and the only treatments available are palliative: steroids, bronchodilators, and, in extreme cases, lung transplants.

Vaping and the Rise of Respiratory Risks

Professor Donal O’Shea, a leading expert on respiratory diseases, explains how vaping has reintroduced the threat of popcorn lung—especially to young users. Though diacetyl is banned in e-cigarettes in the UK and EU, it still appears in many illegal products and remains present in some U.S. markets. This is particularly alarming given the popularity of flavored vapes among teens and young adults.

But diacetyl isn’t the only culprit. E-cigarette vapors have also been found to contain formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and over 180 different flavoring agents. Many of these chemicals interact during the heating process, creating new compounds with unknown long-term effects. Professor O’Shea warns that the cumulative exposure to these substances can increase the risk of severe lung injury.

A Preventable Tragedy

Popcorn lung is incurable, making prevention the only reliable safeguard. The case of the 17-year-old serves as a grim example of how quickly and silently vaping-related damage can develop—often without obvious early symptoms.

Professor O’Shea stresses, “We cannot reverse the damage once it’s done. Our only weapon is awareness and prevention. The lungs are not built to inhale heated chemical cocktails, no matter how sweet or harmless they may smell.”

The Bottom Line

As vaping continues to rise among youth, health experts are sounding the alarm. Despite regulations in some countries, gaps remain—especially in markets flooded with illegal or unregulated products. Until comprehensive education and stronger enforcement measures are in place, cases like this teen’s are likely to continue.

Popcorn lung isn’t just a cautionary tale—it’s a call to action. The risks are real. And the consequences, as this case illustrates, can be permanent.

https://www.unilad.com/news/health/health-warning-vaping-popcorn-lung-irreversible-545983-20250503