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These images, mostly taken in the late 1970s, document the hazards associated with working in cotton mills. Some of these images were commissioned by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). From an interview with Earl Dotter: "...OSHA commissioned me to photograph cotton mill workers impacted by brown lung disease. I was able to photograph both the companies who were very progressive and were addressing the issue of cotton dust exposure, and the companies who were using older, less healthy equipment. By taking a fair-minded look, I was able to photograph the conditions that showed the need for the OSHA standard, and the conditions the standard would create."