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Dust from cotton manufacture: changing from static to personal sampling
T L Ogden1, I W Bartlett, C J Purnell
1Health and Safety Executive, Research and Laboratory Services Division, London, U.K.
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene
|June 1, 1993
Summary
The IOM personal inhalable-dust sampler effectively collects cotton dust, identifying exposure levels linked to respiratory symptoms. This validated method improves upon older techniques for assessing workplace air quality and worker health.
Area of Science:
- Occupational hygiene
- Environmental science
- Industrial toxicology
Background:
- Cotton dust exposure is linked to respiratory symptoms.
- Previous methods for measuring cotton dust exposure had limitations.
- The whole inhalable fraction of dust is suspected to contribute to respiratory issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and select an effective personal sampler for cotton dust.
- To assess personal exposure levels in cotton mills.
- To correlate dust exposure with byssinotic symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Tested several personal sampler designs, selecting the IOM inhalable-dust sampler.
- Classified cotton mill processes as 'clean' or 'dirty' based on hygiene standards.
- Conducted personal sampling surveys and compared results with static sampling methods.
Main Results:
- The IOM sampler was chosen for its ability to collect the whole inhalable fraction and its practicality.
- Two-thirds of 'clean' processes had personal exposures below 2-2.5 mg m-3, while only one-tenth of 'dirty' processes met this standard.
- A mean background level of 0.5 mg m-3 corresponded to a median personal exposure of approximately 2.2 mg m-3.
Conclusions:
- The IOM personal inhalable-dust sampler is a validated and practical tool for assessing cotton dust exposure.
- Personal exposure levels vary significantly between 'clean' and 'dirty' cotton mill processes.
- The study provides data correlating dust exposure levels with the prevalence of byssinotic symptoms.