Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Dust Collected Using a Vertical Elutriator Cotton Dust Sampler

Abstract

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy has been used to analyze trace-element concentrations in cotton dusts collected on vertical elutriator filter media. Twenty-three samples collected from ten bales of cotton processed in a model cardroom have been analyzed. The major elements in the dust detected by the XRF technique are Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Ba. The XRF method has been shown to give reproducible results and may be used to show differences between airborne dusts in a cardroom. Similar analyses are reported of cotton dusts collected on an areal sampler.