Fears have been ignited about the dangers of vaping, following a teenage girl’s diagnosis with the potentially fatal disease known as ‘popcorn lung’.
Brianne Cullen, 17, started secretly using disposable vapes aged 14 during the pandemic to help “ease anxiety,” according to the Daily Mail.
But four months ago, the US teenager called her mother, telling her that she was struggling to breathe. Her mother, Christie Martin, took Cullen to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a condition known as popcorn lung.
Cullen was told that she should be able to make a full recovery because the disease was caught early. However, it can be life-threatening for others.
Here’s all you need to know about popcorn lung.
What is popcorn lung and how common is it?
Popcorn lung (also known as bronchiolitis obliterans) is a rare and serious lung disease that affects the small airways in the lungs, called the bronchioles. It was named after several workers at a popcorn factory in Missouri who developed the condition in the early 2000s. They were exposed to vapours containing diacetyl, a chemical used to create buttery flavouring in microwave popcorn.
While diacetyl is banned from use in e-cigarettes and e-liquids in the UK, it is still used in some flavoured vaping products in the US.
The disease typically begins when the bronchioles become damaged due to exposure to harmful chemicals, such as diacetyl, lung infections, autoimmune diseases, or even after a transplanted lung is rejected. The condition can develop sometimes due to prolonged exposure to other harmful substances, including pollutants or smoking.
Popcorn lung symptoms
Symptoms worsen over time and flare up during exercise
- Shortness of breath, especially during or after physical activity
- Wheezing, even without asthma
- Persistent dry cough
- Fatigue
- Rapid breathing
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Unexplained weight loss (less common but possible)
When the bronchioles are damaged, inflammation can occur, which may lead to scar tissue forming. As this scar tissue builds up, it can block the small airways in the lungs, disrupting the normal flow of air and makes it harder to breathe. This obstruction can lead to progressive respiratory issues, resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing.
In some cases, the inflammation may heal naturally, but if scar tissue continues to build, it can cause long-term damage to the lungs and lead to respiratory failure. Popcorn lung can result in permanent lung damage, requiring medical intervention.
It's important to note that popcorn lung is an uncommon condition. Although it has been linked to certain chemicals, the general public's risk is relatively low. However, those who are exposed to harmful chemicals in the workplace or through vaping products with diacetyl should take precautions to protect their lung health.
Is popcorn lung reversible?
There is no cure for popcorn lung, but treatment can help manage symptoms and slow the disease’s progression.
Doctors may prescribe corticosteroids, including prednisone, to reduce lung inflammation. Inhaled bronchodilators such as albuterol may help open the airways and ease breathing.
In cases where lung function is significantly reduced, patients may require supplemental oxygen to maintain healthy blood oxygen levels. If a bacterial infection is present or suspected, a medical professional may prescribe antibiotics.
Lifestyle adjustments, such as avoiding irritants including smoke or airborne chemicals, can also help reduce symptoms and prevent further damage.
In severe or advanced cases, a lung transplant may be considered, although this is rare and comes with significant risks and long-term care requirements.
Early diagnosis and ongoing medical care are crucial in managing the condition effectively.
Has it increased since vaping became more prevalent?
Cancer Research UK says there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to using e-cigarettes.
However, scientists are still researching whether vaping and popcorn lung are linked (one 2020 study indicated that this could be the case). Meanwhile, the American Lung Association has called popcorn lung "a dangerous risk of flavoured e-cigarettes”.
Whether or not e-cigarettes cause popcorn lung, vaping has some potentially harmful effects on the body. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 deaths attributed to the condition.
“While it is widely considered less harmful than smoking tobacco, it is not risk-free,” Ian Budd, pharmacist for Chemist4U, told the Standard. “The long-term effects are still not fully understood, and as healthcare professionals, we always encourage individuals to avoid nicotine use altogether where possible.”
Nicotine raises your blood pressure and causes adrenaline levels to spike, increasing your heart rate and the risk of a heart attack.
Despite the dangers of vaping, many young people in the UK use e-cigarettes. In 2022, 10.4 per cent of 11 to 15-year-olds had tried vaping, and 40.8 per cent of 18-year-olds had vaped.
In an attempt to curb the youth vaping epidemic and reduce environmental damage, the Government is banning single-use disposable vapes in the UK from June 1, 2025.
