Cotton

Abstract

Cotton is both a fiber and food crop that is grown in about 80 countries. Annually in the world about 90 million 217.7 kg (480 lbs) bales [∼19.6 million metric tonnes (21.6 million tons)] of cotton fiber and 27 million metric tonnes (29.8 million tons) of cottonseed are produced. Cotton is the most important natural fiber (about 37% of the textile fiber consumed in the world in 2002) used to produce apparel, home furnishings, and industrial products. Cottonseed is the world's No. 3 oilseed, used for vegetable oil, animal feed, and linters. Over 90% of the world's cotton production is upland cotton ( G. barbadense . In 2002 transgenic varieties are about 25–30% of the cotton grown in the world. Commercial cottons are white. There has been some interest in naturally colored cottons (shades of brown and green are the main colors) and organic cotton but, at present, there is very little production of these cottons [< 20,000 bales worldwide; < 4455 metric tonnes (4800 tons)]. The origin, biosynthesis, biology, development, production, harvesting ginning, classification, physical properties, morphology, physical structure, chemistry, reactivity, economic aspects, utilization, and health and safety are reviewed.

Dermal uptake of phthalates from clothing: Comparison of model to human participant results

“…To estimate partition coefficients in cotton, the most widely used material used to make clothing, we hypothesize that partition coefficients determined for cellulose and other constituents may be used as a surrogate. Cellulose is the primary constituent of cotton (88%‐96%; Kirk‐Othmer, 2005) . Noncellulosic organics (eg, waxes and proteins) constitute ~1%‐3% of components in processed cotton.…”

Accumulation of gas-phase methamphetamine on clothing, toy fabrics, and skin oil

“…This could be indicative of chemical structure effects: methamphetamine is more polar, basic, and water soluble than perchloroethylene. Processed cotton is primarily comprised of cellulose (Wakelyn, ), with a high density of polar sites (Buchert et al., ). It is also coated with polar biological molecules (fatty acids, amino acids, etc.…”