Popcorn Lung and Diacetyl

There are many weird and wonderful myths which, for one reason or another, the vaping community just cannot seem to shake. The most glaring of these myths and mistruths is the idea that vaping causes an unpleasant medical issue known as popcorn lung, which is in fact a moniker given to bronchiolitis obliterans: a condition which damages the small airways in the lungs and causes coughing and shortness of breath. 

The reason that this condition came to be known as ‘popcorn lung’ is likely due to reports of popcorn factory workers who experienced an ailment known as popcorn lung when exposed to high levels of diacetyl. Because some e-liquids contain diacetyl, the assumption was made that vaping e-liquids could also lead to the affliction. However, very few e-liquids actually use diacetyl and those that do contain far too small of an amount to cause any harm. It should also be noted that traditional tobacco cigarettes also contain diacetyl in significantly higher amounts than what is present in e-liquids. 

Diacetyl is a by-product of the fermentation process used during the production of dairy products and is generally used in food and drink to give a sweet, buttery flavour. While safe for human consumption, the issue with diacetyl appears to lie with inhaling the substance in extremely large quantities - as is experienced when working in a factory which uses diacetyl on an industrial scale.  

In an analysis carried out by CDC (Centre for Disease Control & Prevention), it is explained that “the Food and Drug Administration regulates flavourings based on the safety of the amounts consumed, not the safety of prolonged worker inhalation of high concentrations.” The statement goes on to explain that “CDC has no evidence to suggest risk for consumers in the preparation and consumption of microwave popcorn.”  

Diacetyl is only found in e-liquid when certain flavourings are used and is not present in the vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol or nicotine base ingredients. Traces of diacetyl are generally only found in custard and pastry flavours to give that warm and comforting buttery exhale, but even so the levels of diacetyl in these liquids is far too minute to have any negative impact on the lungs.

To be sure you’re only buying safe and reputable e-liquids with no questionable ingredients, you should seek to purchase your juices from manufacturers who create their flavours via an ISO8 clean room, such as the one used right here at Vapouriz HQ.  Our expert flavourists craft each and every Vapouriz e-liquid in our very own GMP-ready clean rooms using ingredients of the highest possible quality sourced exclusively from the UK, Europe and the USA. Amongst our many accolades, Vapouriz Labs proudly received ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, which demonstrates our unwavering dedication to creating products of the highest standard. 

Vapouriz e-liquids are made of VG (Vegetable Glycerine), PG (Propylene Glycol), flavouring, nicotine and absolutely nothing else. You can be sure that, when shopping with us, you’ll never receive an e-liquid with a trace of diacetyl – regardless of how safe diacetyl may be. 

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flavorings/default.html

https://vapingdaily.com/what-is-vaping/diacetyl-vape/