DENVER -- A man from the Denver metro area who was diagnosed with popcorn lung, possibly from inhaling the artificial butter smell of the microwave popcorn he regularly ate, has won a $7.2 million verdict against various food companies.

Wayne Watson argued the companies failed to warn consumers that inhaling the buttery aroma could put them at risk of lung injury.

The defense argued Watson's health problems stemmed from his years of working with carpet-cleaning chemicals.

KUSA