Characterization of Cotton Gin Particulate Matter Emissions - Project Plan

In 2006, EPA implemented a more stringent standard for particulate matter whose effective diameter is less than 2.5 microns (PM_2.5).  The implementation timeline for this standard will vary by state/district regulatory agency.  For example, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has proposed to include cotton gins in their PM_2.5 State Implementation Plan (SIP) by the end of 2008 under the assumption that the PM_2.5 emissions from cotton gins are significant enough to warrant further study and possibly even additional control measures above and beyond the current mandate to install enhanced “1D-3D” cyclones on all emission points.  All cotton gins across the cotton belt will eventually be impacted by this standard.  For the cotton ginning industry, the primary issues associated with implementing the PM_2.5 standard are: 1) limited PM_2.5 data; 2) effect of sampler errors; and 3) over-prediction of dispersion models.  The cotton ginners’ associations across the cotton belt, including the National, Texas, Southern, Southeastern, and California associations, have agreed that there is an urgent need to collect gin emission data to address these issues.  In response to the gin association’s requests the proposal outlined in this paper was developed.