When OSHA, on 27 December 1974, published an advance notice of their, intention to formulate a standard for exposure to cotton dust, they initiated a tortuous trail of legal and regulatory proceedings which impacted, and still impact very much, upon textile workers, textile producers, fiber producers and consumers of cotton textile products. While the standard was designed to protect textile workers from byssinosis under the mandate by Congress to OSHA for safety and health, and actual impact of the standard the distribution of benefits and costs across society extent far beyond the workplace.