Abstract: This paper introduced the development progress of the cotton dust control standards in cotton mills in China and the importance of cotton dust exposure limit in protecting the health of workers.A comparison of occupational exposure limits and sampling methods of cotton dust between China and foreign countries was made,and a different viewpoint was set forth on the necessity of the upper limit of exposure to the cotton dust of the allowed concentration based on time weighted average regulated in GB Z2—2002 standard.And adjustment of the exposure limit with respect to the workers who are working not according to normal shifts,dust sampling methods,and dust particle sizes were also discussed.Furthermore,it was suggested that exposure limit be regulated according to different groups and the workability of standards be ensured.