In March 1999, a Baltimore judge ruled that proportional correction for lung function could not be applied to determine eligibility of black former asbestos workers to sue Owens Corning Corporation. This decision was a reversal of the judge's ruling in 1992 which allowed for race correction. If race correction had been permitted, black asbestos workers would have had to demonstrate reduced lung function relative to white workers. The ruling renewed debates about vital capacity in blacks that had taken place for more than a century. The purpose of this study was to examine the history of research on vital capacity in blacks and other ethnic groups with a special focus on the explanations provided for observed differences. The notion that vital capacity is reduced in blacks stems from a large study of American soldiers published in 1869 by Benjamin Gould. Gould's study was but one of many studies published in the 19th century that served to construct popular understandings of race and pathologize the black population. Continuing through the 20th century, genetic explanations were consistently invoked to explain differences, even after overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrated that races do not represent genetic categories. As of 1990, approximately half of adult respiratory training programs used ethnic adjustments. This historical analysis of the scientific literature suggests that simplistic notions of the concept of race inform the interpretations of lung function tests in pulmonary medicine and may deflect attention from an examination of the underlying causes of racial and ethnic disparities in occupational disease.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to critically analyze interpretations of ethnic differences in lung function
Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, Occupational Disease
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.