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Spirometric Abnormalities and Lung Function Decline in Current and Former Microwave Popcorn and Current Flavoring

Jean M Cox-Ganser1, Sandra K White, Kathleen B Fedan

  • 1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Respiratory Health Division, Morgantown, West Virginia (Dr Cox-Ganser, Dr White, Fedan, Bailey, Fechter-Leggett, Dr Cummings), Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah (Dr White), and Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California (Dr Cummings).

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|June 9, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Workers in microwave popcorn and flavoring manufacturing experienced lung function abnormalities. Some former microwave popcorn workers showed significant lung function decline, and flavoring workers developed restrictive patterns, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Industrial Hygiene

Background:

  • Occupational exposures in manufacturing settings can lead to respiratory issues.
  • Microwave popcorn and flavoring manufacturing involve specific chemical exposures that may impact lung function.
  • Understanding the long-term respiratory effects in these worker populations is crucial for workplace safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare spirometry results between microwave popcorn workers (MPWs) and flavoring manufacturing workers (FMWs).
  • To identify potential work-related factors associated with lung function abnormalities and decline in these groups.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) data for current and former MPWs.
  • Analyzed surveillance data for FMWs.
  • Compared spirometry results, focusing on lung function abnormalities and excessive drops.

Main Results:

  • Former MPWs exhibited a higher prevalence of mixed and severe lung function abnormalities, with some showing excessive decline.
  • Current MPWs had the lowest incidence of excessive lung function drops.
  • FMWs with excessive drops and abnormalities developed a restrictive lung pattern, linked to work-related factors.

Conclusions:

  • A 'healthy worker survivor effect' was observed in MPWs.
  • Cessation of exposure did not consistently halt lung function decline, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
  • The development of restrictive patterns in FMWs warrants suspicion for occupational lung disease.

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