Endotoxins, which are found in the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria, are suspected of being a causative agent of byssinosis, a pulmonary dysfunction found in some textile mill workers exposed to cotton dust. Cotton sliver and lint were treated with solvent systems previously shown to reduce the endotoxin content of cotton dust as measured by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Endotoxins in sliver or lint were reduced by several of the solvent systems. Yarns were spun from sliver treated with 95% ethanol containing either sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid. Single-knit fabric was successfully prepared from a badly weathered cotton lint treated with 95% ethanol/sodium hydroxide.
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