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The textile industry is only a minor contributor to the air pollution problem relative to other industries, but textile processing does produce a wide variety of pollutants, particulate matter as well as gaseous material. This diversity of contaminants complicates the sampling procedures and detection methods. Sampling methods for both solid and gaseous pollutants are reviewed. Lint and fibrous material may be collected on a membrane filter and then analyzed by microscopic methods. Birefringence determinations employ a polarizing microscope and provide a very specific method of identifying fibers. Atomic absorption is used primarily for measuring metal contamination in water sources but may also be used to determine metals arising from airborne dirts or salts generated from agitation in textile processing. Infrared analysis may be used to identify and quantitate vapors at their toxic concentrations, usually in the part per million range. The use of long path gas cells and the compensation analysis procedure allow for these types of sensitive analyses. Gas chromatography is capable of analyzing mixtures of solvent or chemical vapors. The major advantage of gas chromatography is its ability to separate as well as identify vapors or liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]