Table 1.

Selected characteristics of participants in NHANES III Priority Toxicant Reference Range Study (1988–1994).

	Males (n = 542)	Females (n = 411)	Totala (n = 953)
Race/ethnicity (%)
Non-Hispanic white	39.9	38.2	39.1
African American	32.3	31.1	31.8
Mexican American	25.3	26.3	25.7
Other	2.6	4.4	3.4
Smoking status (%)
Current smokers	29.5	22.1	26.3
Former smokers1b	1.3	1.2	1.3
Former smokers2c	15.3	9.3	12.7
Never smokers	53.9	67.4	59.7
Potential confounders (%)
Diagnosed asthmad	7.0	9.0	7.9
Diagnosed emphysemad	1.1	0.7	0.9
Presence of furred pets	34.3	35.8	34.9
Occupation with COPD risk	31.5	12.2	22.3
Pulmonary function measures (mean ± SD)
FEV1 (mL)	3,875 ± 732	2,867 ± 544	3,440 ± 825
FVC (mL)	4,858 ± 826	3,516 ± 612	4,279 ± 996
PEFR (mL/sec)	9,374 ± 1,834	6,731 ± 1,292	8,234 ± 2,085
MMEFR (mL/sec)	3,812 ± 1,344	3,023 ± 1,016	3,472 ± 1,275
Age [years (mean ± range)]	36.9 ± 20–59	36.2 ± 20–59	36.6 ± 20–59

^aSubjects in this table were included in at least one analysis of VOC blood concentration and pulmonary function.

^bFormer smokers who quit smoking within the previous 12 months.

^cFormer smokers who quit smoking > 12 months previously.

^dSelf-reported doctor’s diagnosis of asthma or emphysema.