Former popcorn plant worker gets $2.7 million for lung disease caused by a chemical in popcorn flavoring

• A former Missouri popcorn plant worker who said his respiratory illness came from a harmful chemical used to make butter flavouring has been awarded about $2.7 million in damages.
• Kenneth Moenning, 36, of Lockwood, Mo., is among 30 current and former workers at Jasper Popcorn Co. who have sued International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. and subsidiary Bush Boake Allen Inc.
• The plaintiffs said the manufacturers should have known the chemical diacetyl, used to make the popcorn's butter flavouring, causes lung damage.
• A 12-member jury deliberated for seven hours Tuesday before returning its decision in Jasper County Circuit Court.
• Moenning worked in the flavouring room at the Jasper plant from 1993 through 1995.
• Doctors testified he has bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare, progressive lung disease that eventually could require he receive a lung transplant.
• Experts testified the disease was a result of Moenning's exposure to diacetyl and other chemicals in butter flavourings used at the plant and manufacturers knew of such hazards but didn't warn workers.
• Defence lawyers said management didn't know the flavouring's potential harmful effects on workers.
• "Someone is trying to blame the defendants for something no one knew or could have known," Mike Patton, the lawyer for International Flavors and Fragrances, said in closing arguments.
• Health officials have said people who microwave popcorn and eat it are not in danger but chemicals released during popping are being studied.
• Nine jurors - the minimum required to reach a verdict - approved a verdict awarding $2.69 million to Moenning and $50,000 to his wife.
• Moenning had sought $20 million, plus $5 million for his wife, who said she suffered emotional damage from her husband's health problems.
• Other jury trials in the county have resulted in awards of as much as $20 million to popcorn plant workers.