Washing cotton by batch processes to control dust and endotoxin.
Authors
Perkins-HH Jr.; Olenchock-SA
Source
Ann Agric Environ Med 1995 Jan; 2(1):45-51
Abstract
In order to determine cotton dust and endotoxin hazards resulting from batch washing of cotton, batch washing trials were undertaken. Two basic washing conditions were used: 60 degrees-C washing temperature, water to fiber ratio of 40 to 1; 93 degrees-C washing temperature, water to fiber ratio of 17 to 1. Grade 52 Texas cotton was washed in a modern facility by the following process: mechanical opening and cleaning, prewetting and cakemaking, kier washing and rinsing, centrifugation and drying and baling. Water soluble reducing substances (WSRS) were determined for lint samples. Dust was collected by vertical elutriators. Endotoxin levels were determined from lint samples. All WSRS levels were below 0.05%. There was no significant difference in WSRS means between washing treatments. There was a slightly higher level of WSRS on the outside of cakes washed by the higher temperature process. The high temperature method reduced dust by 58% and the low temperature method reduced dust levels by 50%. Both treatments lowered endotoxin levels by between 95% and 98%. The airborne endotoxin loads were below the critical levels previously reported. The authors conclude that batch washing with modern equipment within the conditions used in the present experiment is an effective method of washing and keeps dust and endotoxin at acceptable levels.
Keywords
Cotton-dust; Cotton-industry; Endotoxins; Dust-samplers; Dust-collection; Dust-suppression; Airborne-dusts; Disease-prevention
Document Type
Journal Article
Source Name
Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
