VENTILATION RATES AND LUNG-VOLUMES FOR LUNG MODELING PURPOSES IN ETHNIC-GROUPS

In order to recommend reference values to assess lung dosimetry models, recently published data of ventilation rates and respiratory physiological parameters have been reviewed. The resulting values concern adults and children of various population groups. Mean values and standard deviations of height and weight, vital capacity (VC), functional residual capacity (FRC), total lung capacity (TI.C.) and dead space (V(D)) are tabulated for American and European Caucasians. Afro-Americans, Indians, Japanese, Chinese and Native Americans. Values of VC and FRC are also plotted against body size within populations. Resting tidal volume and respiratory frequency do not show clear differences between ethnic groups. On the contrary, lung volumes are consistently higher in Caucasians than in the other groups, by up to 20% for VC and 10% for FRC.