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Interesting verdict came out of a Joplin, Missouri courtroom last week. The plaintiff, Eric Peoples, had filed suit against the manufacturers of butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn. Mr. Peoples had worked at a microwave popcorn factor and was apparently exposed to certain vapors from the butter flavoring. He claimed that the vapors from the flavoring had ruined his lungs. He further claimed that the manufacturers, International Flavors and Fragances Inc. knew the vapors were hazardous, but failed to warn workers. Mr. Peoples alleged that as a result of his exposure, his lungs had been irreparably damaged and that he needed a double lung transplant. The jury, after deliberating just 3 hours, awarded him $18 million and $2 million to his wife.

It certainly didn't help the defense that at least one independent testing agency had linked exposure of the vapors to lung disease in workers in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.
The report I saw indicated that although health officials insist people who eat microwave popcorn are not in danger, the EPA is looking into the chemicals released into the air when a bag of microwave popcorn in popped. A second trial is scheduled to begin in Missouri in April and there are additional cases pending in Illinois and Iowa.