Commentary: overview of agricultural dust research: Agricultural Research Service perspective

Dusts generated by farm products are becoming increasingly recognized as causing adverse health effects, particularly in those persons chronically exposed to amounts having recognized biological effects. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is always concerned when a problem affects agricultural produc? tion and use of the product. We also recognize that the teehnical data base for the effects of agricultural dusts and its relationship to traditional industrial or occupa? tional health information is unquestionably still in an embryonic state. In this respect, we particularly appreciate the opportunity to share our knowledge and research results with all of the other institutions rep? resented here. When the research requires specialized expertise, cooperative programs are often the most expeditious way to solve a problem. We are proud of the efforts that have been put forth in response to the needs of the cotton industry to pro? vide a safer workplace. Programs to handle and de? crease dust in cotton gins and mills have been in place in ARS laboratories for a number of years. The effort was increased in 1977, when Ralph McCracken, then Associate Administrator of ARS, sought the cooperation of NIOSH in a study to evaluate closed boll harvesting as a means to reduce generation of respirable dust during subsequent processing. There was no ad? verse respiratory response to closed boll cotton; how? ever, extensive changes in harvesting, handling, and processing would have been necessary to produce such cottons. At that time or even at the present, these al? terations would only constitute a long-term solution re? quiring many capital intensive changes. Thus, other so? lutions needed to be explored. In 1980, a cotton industry task force called upon USDA for an intensified effort to solve the byssinosis problem. The industry, working with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Congress, was able to get an additional $975,000 appropriation for ARS to devote to this effort. Congress mandated that release of these new funds was contingent on the agree? ment that all parties pursue "a cooperative research