At the Cotton Conference in 1990. I presented a paper which outlined the broad health and safety issues for the cotton industry in Australia. Health effects for the workforce included traumatic injury. noise induced hearing loss. chemical exposure, respiratory effects of cotton dust and climatic effects. Since that time, the Agricultural Health Unit has been involved in monitoring and research programs involving the cotton industry in the Gwydir and Namoi Valleys and a health and safety profile is being developed with the industry. Cotton industry worker risks are associated primarily with injury and pesticide exposure, although respiratory disease associated with cotton dust requires further research effort.