ABSTRACT

Cotton and cotton blend fabrics with and without finishes were tested for resistance to penetration of pesticides in a computerized spray chamber. Sizing of cotton denim fabrics does not improve barrier properties of denim fabrics. There was no significant difference in the ability of sized and desized denim fabrics to resist penetration, which may indicate that laundering does not increase penetration of methyl parathion. There was no significant difference in the barrier properties of different weights of denim fabrics. Durable press finish alone does not enhance the barrier properties of cotton poplin and cotton/polyester fabrics. However, if durable press finish and a repellent (fluorochemical) finish are applied, there is a significant improvement in the barrier properties of both cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics. The knitted cotton fabrics with polypropylene laminate (either on the inside or outside of cotton fabrics) were equally good as barriers to methyl parathion. Similar results were also obtained in drop application studies with methyl parathion. Time lapse study with methyl parathion indicated that over time (4 hrs) pesticide penetration through unfinished cotton poplin is almost five times as much as in 20 minutes whereas in the repellent finished fabrics, pesticide penetration did not significantly increase over time. It can be summarized that denim, cotton poplin and cotton/polyester fabrics will make efficient barriers to pesticide penetration if they have a fluorocarbon finish.