In this study we have tested two different extraction protocols of crude cotton dust in a cytotoxic assay with VERO and A 549 cells to see id the two protocols could supplement each other.

Protocol 1: cotton dust was extracted with pyrogen free water, mixed heavily, exposed to freezing and thawing three times before filtering, freeze drying and resuspension before use.

Protocol 2: cotton dust was extracted with NH₄HCO₃pH 8.3 for 18 hours before filtering and the rest of the procedure was the same as protocol 1.

The extracts elicited significant cytotoxic effect on both cell cultures. However, VERO cells were significantly more sensitive than human A 549 cells towards the extracts.