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.
Modi
Preeti
P
Department of Internal Medicine, Westlake Hospital, Melrose Park, IL, USA. preetimodi@hotmail.com
Yadava
Ved
V
Sreedhar
Radhika
R
Khasawaneh
Faris
F
Balk
Robert A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003931:Diacetyl; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D005421:Flavoring Agents; D003931:Diacetyl