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To: neolib who wrote (97040)	1/26/2005 4:51:27 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 793719

The results of pulmonary function tests are what is being multiplied by .85% for blacks. Cotton dust causes Brown Lung (Byssinosis). OSHA requires the employer to test employees for Brown Lung and to treat employees who get Brown Lung. Part of the testing is pulmonary function testing. A white employee is deemed to have Brown Lung at level X on the pulmonary function testing, but a black employee's lung capacity won't trigger the same protections until it is less than 85% of white pulmonary function. Have you ever taken a spirometry test? Basically you take a really deep breath and blow as hard as you can into a gadget that measures your lung capacity.

To: neolib who wrote (97040)	1/26/2005 5:18:10 PM
From: aladin	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793719

Neolib, The Caucasian standard is higher. the standard states: An attempt should be made to determine and record the employee's race or ethnicity. Often this can be done with adequate accuracy merely by observation. If in doubt, ask the employee, explaining that race affects the reference values used for the test. If the employee considers the question objectionable, or if their race or ethnicity does not clearly fit the limited categories available, just record unknown and use Caucasian reference equations (no race correction orrace-specific reference value). So it can be viewed 2 ways - if you assume the same starting FEV - blacks of the same weight/body mass as whites get more dirty air. However if you accept the body mass FEV result as scientific - many blacks would be excluded from employment. Probably a fairer approach would be to measure individual employees and chart lung function over time. Degrading by a certain percentage being the real marker. But I assume doctors and NAACP have looked at this by now, but who knows? John