Research to develop pesticide protective clothing carboxymethylated cotton shirt weight print fabrc with a pad-roll technology. Iodine sorption capacity and water retention characterized chemical accessibility. Values for modified cotton were significantly higher than those for untreated and mercerized control samples. Radio labeled methyl parathion tested the pesticide penetration and combinations of treated and control fabrics. A carboxymethylated outer layer trapped 30-45 percent more pesticide than an untreated or mercerized outer layer. Carboxymethylation decreased residual pesticide on the fabric after laundering to less than half of that for control fabrics. Contamination of other fabrics by redeposition was comparable for treated and untreated fabrics. 26 refs.