Popcorn Lung: the Discovery of a New Disease

NCT00027235 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: NCRR-M01RR00036-0829
• Study Type: observational
• Target: N/A
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Recently, an epidemic of pulmonary disease has been recognized among workers in a popcorn factory in Jasper, Missouri. The exposure agent has not yet been identified, but suspects include butter flavoring and the powdered salt used in the mixing room. This disease resembles "Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome", an illness that makes it difficult to breathe. Of the 117 workers studied, one year later, 25 subjects whom were working in the mixing room or in the microwave packaging area have had decreases in lung function seven times the norm for their age. Industrial hygiene experts revealed that dust concentrations of salt and other flavorings were much higher in the mixing room compared to the office and outdoor work areas. Recently, rats were exposed to vapors created by heating the butter flavor compound obtained from this plant. Six-hour exposure to vapors at very high concentration resulted in significant damage to the breathing apparatus. Thus, there is clinical, epidemiological, and animal toxicity data that appears to implicate some constituent present during the mixing of the butter flavoring, salt, and oil causing a form of obstructive airway disease that has been rapidly progressive in a number of workers. It is not clear what the pathophysiologic nature of this entity is, though it resembles Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome. It is not known what the long term consequence of this will be on the active workers, nor is it clear whether preventive measures taken to reduce exposures in the mixing room and elsewhere in the plant are going to be effective.

Conditions

Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Current employees who have a decline in FEV1 larger than 200cc within the past year will be eligible to participate. All index cases will be eligible to participate.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Center for Research Resources (NCRR): lead

Study Sites (1)

Washington University, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Bronchiolitis; Bronchitis; Bronchial Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: DEFINED POPULATION
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 28, 2001
• First Posted: November 29, 2001
• Last Updated: June 24, 2005

Record last verified: 2003-12

Locations

US (1)