Flavorings-Related Lung Disease

Introduction

Exposures to flavoring chemicals cause Flavorings-Related Lung Disease. In this, microwave popcorn plant and flavoring plant workers develops obstructive lung disease, which can be very severe. In many cases where lung biopsies were done, a type of bronchiolitis known as constrictive bronchiolitis obliterans was found.

Symptoms

The main respiratory symptoms experienced by workers affected by obliterative bronchiolitis include cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath on exertion. These symptoms usually don’t improve when the worker goes home at the end of the workday or on weekends or vacations. Usually these symptoms are gradual and progressive.

Treatment

Till date there is no specific treatment for this disease, only symptomatic treatment is given to the patients. Physicians advice the workers to avoid over exposure of the chemicals and they are usually treated for diseases like asthma, bronchitis, etc. Extensive research work is being carried out for this. Research laboratiries are shifting there focus to this area.

Statistics 

Flavorings-Related Lung Disease causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The incidence and Prevalence of this disease is same regardless of the age, gender and location. It is most prevalent in the people working in chemical or flavor making industries.