LA Man Awarded $25M After Cooking Spray Linked to Chronic Lung Disease

Bodybuilder developed 'popcorn lung' from inhaling fumes of PAM cooking spray over two decades.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Los Angeles jury awarded $25 million to Roland Esparza, a 58-year-old former bodybuilder, after he developed 'popcorn lung' from inhaling fumes of PAM cooking spray over two decades. Esparza, who used the spray multiple times daily as part of his high-protein diet, now needs a double lung transplant due to the scarring and narrowing of his airways caused by the chemical diacetyl in the spray.

Why it matters

This case marks the first consumer victory against Conagra, the maker of PAM, for diacetyl in cooking spray and the largest consumer verdict in any diacetyl case. It exposes how 'healthy' marketing can mask real risks, as everyday products can carry consequences that take decades to surface.

The details

The culprit is diacetyl, a chemical that gives products a buttery taste. When inhaled, it causes bronchiolitis obliterans—scarring and narrowing of airways that progressively destroys lung function. The LA Superior Court jury unanimously found Conagra failed to warn consumers about inhalation risks, despite knowing the dangers from worker lawsuits that had been piling up since the early 2000s.

  • Esparza used PAM cooking spray multiple times daily for over two decades.
  • Conagra removed diacetyl from PAM in 2009.

The players

Roland Esparza

A 58-year-old former bodybuilder who developed 'popcorn lung' from inhaling fumes of PAM cooking spray over two decades and now needs a double lung transplant.

Conagra Brands

The maker of PAM cooking spray, which the jury found failed to warn consumers about the inhalation risks of diacetyl, a chemical that causes 'popcorn lung'.

Jacob Plattenberger

Esparza's attorney, who called him 'a good guy who got a raw deal'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“A good guy who got a raw deal”

— Jacob Plattenberger, Esparza's attorney (gadgetreview.com)

What’s next

Conagra plans to appeal the verdict, calling their product safety record solid.

The takeaway

This case proves that everyday products can carry consequences that take decades to surface, and 'healthy' marketing can mask real risks. It highlights the importance of companies being transparent about potential health hazards, even for commonly used household items.