Author
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Chun, David |
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Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/7/2002 Publication Date: 12/1/2002 Citation: Journal of Cotton Science 6:126-132 (2002). Interpretive Summary: In the early 1990's sticky cotton became a greater problem than in the past and researchers were concerned that possibly more dust would accumulate because of the sticky nature of sticky cotton that would later be released during processing. This might mean more frequent downtime for cleaning machinery and increased surveillance to remain within the Cotton Dust Standard. This study collected a large number of samples with varying degrees of stickiness that was determined by the percent reducing sugar and the Thermodetector and Minicard rating method for stickiness, and these samples were assayed for cotton dust potential. The stickiness levels and the associated cotton dust potential were compared. A small tendency for increased dust potential was observed when stickiness was measured by the reducing sugar and Thermodetector methods. But no difference was observed using the minicard method. Since the increased dust potential observed was svery small and the minicard is the most reliable method of determining stickiness, from a practical standpoint, stickiness and dust potential are probably not correlated to the extent that additional concerns of increased dust levels with stickiness is necessary. Technical Abstract: Because of concerns that increased cotton dust potential may be associated with increased stickiness, a survey was conducted to determine if this would be a potential problem in the processing of sticky cotton. A large collection of sticky cotton was assay for cotton dust potential and compared. The results suggest a small increase of cotton dust potential to obe associated when using reducing sugar and Thermodetector stickiness ratings. However, when the minicard stickiness rating was used, cotton dust potential was not found to be significantly greater for sticky cottons. Since the increased dust potential is small or practically no different from non-sticky cottons, additional adjustments to control cotton dust during processing is probably not necessary. |
