Characterization of Cotton Gin PM2.5 Emissions Based On EPA Stack Sampling Methodologies and Particle Size Distributions

A project to characterize cotton gin emissions in terms of stack and ambient sampling was recently conducted. The impetus behind the project was the 2006 EPA implementation of a more stringent standard for particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 µm (PM_2.5) and the fact that there was very little available cotton gin PM_2.5 emissions data. The objective for this study was to develop of PM_2.5 emission factors for cotton gin systems in regions across the cotton belt based on the EPA approved stack sampling methodologies: Other Test Method 27 and Method 17 with particle size analyses. This manuscript summarizes the PM_2.5 emissions data for all the systems tested.