Respirable dust and gin machinery.
The influence of processing machinery at cotton gins on the respirable dust that is emitted into the gin environment and the respirable dust that remains in ginned lint was investigated during a 3-year study. Dust levels in the air near positions occupied by human operators ranged from 94 to 1251 microg/m(3). The extractor-feeder/gin stand produced the highest dust levels. Dust levels remaining in the ginned lint ranged from 18.2 to 27.7 mg/20 g lint as a result of different processing machines. Lint cleaners were more effective in reducing dust levels in ginned lint than were other processing machines.
Anthony
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Agricultural Engineers, US Cotton Ginning Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA.
Columbus
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