Characterization of Cotton Gin Particulate Matter Emissions – First Year

Due to EPA’s implemented of more stringent standards for particulate matter with an effective diameter less than 2.5 microns, the cotton ginners’ associations across the cotton belt, including the National, Texas, Southern, Southeastern, and California associations, agreed that there is an urgent need to collect gin emission data. The primary issues surrounding particulate matter regulations for cotton ginning industry are: 1) limited or lack of PM2.5 data; 2) potential over-prediction of current dispersion models; and 3) effects of sampler errors. In response to the gin association’s requests, a cotton gin particulate matter emissions sampling project was planned by USDA-ARS researchers, the Gin Associations, and State and Federal Regulators. During the first full year of the sampling campaign, November 2008 through November 2009, four gins were extensively sampled in New Mexico, Texas, and California. This paper highlights the individual sampling campaigns and summarizes the information collected.