Cotton Dust Control Studies: Effects of Engineering Controls,Washing Cotton,and Additives

Abstract

This paper reviews some of the cotton dust control technology studies carried out a North Carolina State University since 1973. The purpose of the investigations has been to examine means for reducing respirable dust emission during carding, as well as to evaluate the relative merits of various dust-sampling devices. Typically the results indicate that introducing lint cleaners at the gin reduces dust emission, while the use of two types of feeder/cleaners examined does not. Steaming of ginned cotton reduces the dust emission, while storage of ginned cotton (steamed or unsteamed) beyond three months increases it. Air-cleaning devices such as properly-designed electrostatic precipitators can be quite effective in diminishing the dust concentration in the card room. Similarly, washing of cotton, the use of cleaning devices such as COTTONMASTER®, or the addition of dust suppressants to cotton reduces the emission during subsequent carding. While some of the studies are complete, others are in progress.

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