This ongoing project helps in the development of technical data needed in the formation of codes, regulations and rules affecting U.S. cotton industry operations and products.

For example, this information has been helpful toward: 1) favorable fire and building codes’ amendments governing cotton bale storage; 2) studying the economic impact of potential furniture flammability standards on cotton textiles; 3) favorable standards being developed for mattresses/bedclothes and upholstered furniture and retaining cotton beneficial amendments to the Children’s Sleepwear Flammability Standard/prevention of unnecessary new standards for general apparel; 4) reasonable air emission standards for vegetable oil extraction; 5) addressing potential regulations on hexane, dioxin, lead and oilseed processing products; 6) assisting EPA to regulate vegetable oil differently than petroleum oil in spill prevention regulations; and 7) avoiding unworkable cotton dust regulations involving particulate matter (PM) emissions and ozone emissions from cotton production and gins.

Objective for the current year will focus on: 1) developing and evaluating research information on PM, ozone and other air emissions from cotton operations; 2) developing improved flammability treatments and test/economic data for cotton products and flammability information/education programs; 3) evaluating workplace health and safety risks related to cotton; 4) evaluating toxicity of chemicals used on cotton textiles, potential residues on cotton, and chemicals used in other cotton processes; and 5) updating the ITT burn database with new Consumer Product Safety Commission in-depth studies.