ABSTRACT
Arsenic acid, because of its rapid desiccating action and low cost, is often used as a desiccant to prepare cotton plants for harvesting by stripping. Because the arsenic acid is applied when most of the cotton is open, arsenic contacts both lint and plant foliage. Arsenic remains on the cotton through textile processing up to the scouring operation. Cottons desiccated with arsenic acid had varying levels of arsenic in raw stock, nonlint components, yarn, and card generated respirable dust. The levels were highest in nonlint components and airborne dust. Textile finishing plants have recently found levels of arsenic in wastewater that were above the allowable limits for processing in municipal water treatment plants.
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