Levels and chemical composition of cotton gin dust

Dust levels were determined in the three principal work areas of five high-capacity, saw-type cotton gins processing spindle-picked cotton. Dust levels measured by the vertical elutriator, OSHA personal and stationary personal samplers averaged 0.66, 0.96 and 0.87 mg/m3, respectively. Gross chemical analyses of dust samples collected indicated that the composit0n of the dust was highly variable and different for the principal work areas within each gin -- 15 to 53% ash, 2 to 5% moisture, 8 to 18% protein, 19 to 55% cellulose and 8 to 16% water-extractable constituents. Major elements were silicon, potassium, aluminum, calcium and magnesium.