Effects Of Popcorn Butter Flavorings, Diacetyl And 2,3-Pentanedione, On Isolated Airway Preparations

“Popcorn workers’ lung” is a life‐threatening, fixed obstructive pulmonary disease caused by inhalation of butter flavoring vapor. Histological evidence from animals exposed by inhalation to the butter flavorings, diacetyl (2,3‐butanedione), and a diacetyl substitute, 2,3‐pentanedione (acetyl proprionyl), demonstrated vapor‐concentration‐dependent damage to epithelial cells. Because nothing is known about the effects of diacetyl and 2,3‐pentanedione on airway smooth muscle (ASM), we investigated the pharmacological activity of these two flavorings on isolated airways.