Experts Warn Vaping Causes Irreversible 'Popcorn Lung' Damage

Medical experts are warning that vaping can lead to 'popcorn lung,' or bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare but serious and irreversible lung disease that causes scarring and narrowing of the lung's small airways, resulting in persistent coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness. The condition was originally linked to inhalation of diacetyl, a chemical flavoring used in popcorn factories, but can also be caused by other toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, both of which have been found in e-cigarette vapors. Although many flavoring agents in e-liquids are approved for food use, they are not necessarily safe to inhale, and heating them during vaping may produce additional harmful byproducts. There is no cure for popcorn lung; treatments only manage symptoms and may include bronchodilators, steroids, or lung transplantation in severe cases. Health experts emphasize that prevention—primarily by avoiding exposure to these chemicals through vaping—is the only effective defense against this irreversible lung damage. The growing popularity of flavored vape products among young people heightens the risk of exposure to these dangerous substances.