Rachel McQueen, PhD

Associate Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Human Ecology Dept

Contact

Associate Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Human Ecology Dept
Email
rhmcquee@ualberta.ca
Address
322 Human Ecology Building
8905 - 116 St NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2N1

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Textile odour Sustainability Clothing comfort


About

Job/Research Area

 Textile Science

Dr. McQueen in the News 

Can a pair of jeans kill the coronavirus? - Vox.com

Research reveals why it’s hard to get the smell out of polyester - University of Alberta

Clothing you don’t have to wash, explained - Vox.com

Choosing the environment over your laundry - CBC News

Here’s why gym clothes smell so rank – and how to freshen them up - Popular Science

Reduce your carbon footprint by washing your jeans less often: U of A researcher - Edmonton Journal

My Sweaty Valentine - Scientific American

Polyester shirts bad summer choice... - Edmonton Journal 

Jeans Remain Surprising Clean After a Year of Wear - University of Alberta News

Anti-Odor Workout Clothes May Not Actually Work - Cosmopolitan


Research

Major Responsibilities/Research Interests

Rachel McQueen’s primary research focus relates to the development and retention of odour in textiles. This involves the development of methods to examine the growth of skin microflora within textiles, interaction of odorous molecules with textile fibres and sensory detection of body odour emanating from fabrics. Her research takes a holistic approach involving human wear trials to collect body odour on fabrics, in addition to investigating the development of laboratory-based test methods in order to reliably assess proposed odour-control technologies in the textile industry. Other research interests include moisture transport through textiles and assessment of user needs toward improving clothing comfort and protection in the workplace. Previously, her research included the investigation of decontamination of pesticides from clothing and the degradation of chemical protective clothing due to decontamination practices.


Teaching

Graduate Students

  • René Arredondo Campos (MSc)
  • Skylar Brown (MSc)
  • Sabrina Marsha (MSc)
  • Jennifer Beaudette (PhD)
  • Anil Kumar (MSc)

Courses

HECOL 170 - Introduction to Textiles

An introductory exploration of the origin, creation and use of textiles in our world. Chemical and physical properties of fibres and fabrics are introduced and an understanding of how these properties influence various clothing and textile end uses is developed.


HECOL 372 - Environmental Sustainability in Textiles

Examination of the clothing and textiles industry and the environmental impact of textile production and consumption. Topics may include but are not limited to, circular economy, life-cycle thinking, environmental labelling, sustainable fibres, sustainable fabric and finishing technologies, consumption patterns and post-consumer use. Prerequisite: HECOL 170 and *60.


HECOL 691 - Professional Seminar 1

This professional development seminar is one in a series that provides an introduction to graduate study in the Department of Human Ecology, and to career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as the field of human ecology, what it means to be a graduate student, and student-supervisor relationship. Typically taken in the first year of the graduate program.


HECOL 692 - Professional Seminar 2

This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as writing for academic and non-academic audiences and research ethics. Typically taken in the first year of the graduate program.


HECOL 693 - Professional Seminar 3

This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as the process of the doctoral program and comprehensive and candidacy exams. Typically taken in the second year of the doctoral program.


HECOL 694 - Professional Seminar 4

This professional development seminar is one in a series that focuses on career development and professional issues in human ecology. Includes topics such as funding agencies and preparing grant proposals, non-academic careers for PhDs, and post-doctoral fellowships. Typically taken in the second year of the doctoral program.


Browse more courses taught by Rachel McQueen

Publications

Exploring the connection between odour and clothing disposal

Author(s): McQueen, R. H., Moran, L. J., Cunningham, C., & Hooper, P. M.
Publication Date: 6/7/2021
Publication: The Journal of the Textile Institute
Volume: 112
Issue: 11
Page Numbers: 1859-1866
External Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/HPZ8SA7QNCYDTANEGPEZ/full?target=10.1080/00405000.2020.1848114

‘What goes where'? Characterizing Edmonton's municipal clothing waste stream and consumer clothing disposal.

Author(s): Degenstein, L., McQueen, R. H., Krogman, N. T.
Publication Date: 2/25/2021
Publication: Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume: 260
Issue: 126516
External Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652621007368?via%3Dihub

Impact of physical condition on disposal and end-of-life extension of clothing

Author(s): Degenstein, L., McQueen, R. H., McNeill, L., Hamlin, R., Wakes, S., & Dunn, L
Publication Date: 4/17/2020
Publication: International Journal of Consumer Studies
Volume: 44
Issue: 6
Page Numbers: 586-596
External Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijcs.12590

Waste not want not: Behavioural intentions toward garment life extension practices, the role of damage, brand and cost on textile disposal.

Author(s): L S McNeill, R P Hamlin, R H McQueen, L Degenstein, S Wakes, T C Garrett, L Dunn
Publication Date: 2020
Publication: Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume: 260
Page Numbers: 121026
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121026

Retention and release of odorants in cotton and polyester fabrics following multiple soil/wash procedures

Author(s): M M Abdul-Bari, R H McQueen, A P de la Mata, J J Harynuk, J C Batcheller
Publication Date: 2020
Publication: Textile Research Journal
Volume: 90
Issue: 19-20
Page Numbers: 2212-2222
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517520914411

Fashion sensitive young consumers and fashion garment repair: Emotional connections to garments as a sustainability strategy

Author(s): L S McNeill, R P Hamlin, R H McQueen, L Degenstein, T C Garrett, L Dunn, S Wakes
Publication Date: 2020
Publication: International Journal of Consumer Studies
Volume: 44
Issue: 4
Page Numbers: 361-368
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12572

Odor in textiles: A review of evaluation methods, fabric characteristics, and odor control technologies

Author(s): R H McQueen, S Vaezafshar
Publication Date: 2020
Publication: Textile Research Journal
Volume: 90
Issue: 9-10
Page Numbers: 1157-1173
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517519883952

Synthetic clothing and the problem with odor: Comparison of nylon and polyester fabrics

Author(s): Abdul-Bari, M. M., McQueen, R. H., Nguyen, H., Wismer, W. V., de la Mata, A. P., Harynuk, J. J.
Publication Date: 2018
Publication: Clothing and Textiles Research Journal
Volume: 36
Issue: 4
Page Numbers: 251-266
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X18772099

Can common finishing treatments used in chef jacket fabrics improve protection against scald injury?

Author(s): Devarajan, S., McQueen, R. H., & Wen, S.
Publication Date: 2017
Publication: Fashion and Textiles
Volume: 4
Issue: 19
External Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40691-017-0103-3

New analytical method for assessing moisture transport

Author(s): Furtak, N. T., McQueen, R. H., Nychka, J. A., Furtak, T. M.
Publication Date: 2016
Publication: The Journal of the Textile Institute
External Link: http://textile.ualberta.ca/www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00405000.2015.1134892

Reducing laundering frequency to prolong the life of denim jeans

Author(s): McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Moran, L. J., Zhang, H., & Hooper, P. M.
Publication Date: 2016
Publication: International Journal of Consumer Studies
Volume: 0
Page Numbers: 1-10
External Link: http://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12311

From clothing to laundry water: Investigating the fate of phthalates, brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate esters

Author(s): Saini, A., Thaysen, C., Jantunen, L., McQueen, R. H., & Diamond, M. L.
Publication Date: 2016
Publication: Environmental Science & Technology
Volume: 50
Issue: 17
Page Numbers: 9289-9297
External Link: http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b02038

Characterization of textiles used in chefs’ uniforms for protection against thermal hazards encountered in the kitchen environment

Author(s): Zhang, H., McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Ehnes, B., & Paskaluk, S.
Publication Date: 2015
Publication: Annals of Occupational Hygiene
Volume: 59
Issue: 8
Page Numbers: 1058-1073
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mev034

Clothing in the kitchen: Evaluation of fabric performance for protection against hot surface contact, hot liquid and low-pressure steam burns

Author(s): Zhang, H., McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Paskaluk, S. & Murtaza, G.
Publication Date: 2015
Publication: Textile Research Journal 85
Volume: 20
Page Numbers: 2136-2146

In vivo assessment of antimicrobial-treated textiles on skin microflora

Author(s): Walter, N., McQueen, R. H., & Keelan, M.
Publication Date: 2014
Publication: International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology,
Volume: 26
Issue: 4
Page Numbers: 330-342
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-12-2012-0078

Axillary odor build-up in knit fabrics following multiple use cycles

Author(s): McQueen, R. H., Harynuk, J. J., Wismer, W. V., Keelan, M., Xu, Y., & de la Mata, P.
Publication Date: 2014
Publication: International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology
Volume: 26
Issue: 4
Page Numbers: 274-290
External Link: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0955-6222&show=latest&

Development of a protocol to assess fabric suitability for testing liquid moisture transport properties

Author(s): McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J. C., Mah, T., & Hooper, P. M.
Publication Date: 2013
Publication: Journal of the Textile Institute
Volume: 104
Issue: 8
Page Numbers: 900-905
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2013.764755

A preliminary study on the collection and detection of axillary odor within textiles

Author(s): Xu, Y., McQueen, R.H., & Wismer, W.V.
Publication Date: 2013
Publication: Journal of Textile and Apparel Technology and Management,
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
Page Numbers: 1-13
External Link: http://ojs.cnr.ncsu.edu/index.php/JTATM/article/download/3940/2533

In vivo assessment of odour retention in an antimicrobial silver chloride-treated polyester textile

Author(s): McQueen, R. H., Keelan, M., Xu, Y., & Mah, T.
Publication Date: 2013
Publication: Journal of the Textile Institute
Volume: 104
Issue: 1
Page Numbers: 108-117
External Link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00405000.2012.697623

Establishing thermal comfort: Characterization of selected performance and physical properties of fabrics used in hospital operating room uniforms

Author(s): Xu, Y., McQueen, R. H., Strickfaden, M., Aslund, A., Batcheller, J. C.
Publication Date: 2012
Publication: Journal of the Textile Institute
Volume: 103
Issue: 7
Page Numbers: 698-705
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2011.602229

Effect of washing and drying on liquid moisture transport properties for knit fabrics

Author(s): McQueen, R. H., Batcheller, J.C., Olsen, S. E., Hooper, P. M.
Publication Date: 2012
Publication: AATCC Review
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Page Numbers: 71-79
External Link: http://www.aatcc.org/media/a2review/TOC/Jan12-AATCCrev-TOC.pdf

Odour control of medical textiles

Author(s): McQueen, R. H.
Publication Date: 2011
Publication: Handbook of Medical Textiles
Page Numbers: 387-416

Determination of antimicrobial efficacy for textile products against odor-causing bacteria

Author(s): McQueen, R. H., Keelan, M., & Kannayiram, S
Publication Date: 2010
Publication: AATCC Review
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Page Numbers: 58-63

Retention of axillary odour on apparel fabrics

Author(s): McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Delahunty, C.M., Brooks, H.J.L., Niven, B.E.
Publication Date: 2008
Publication: The Journal of the Textile Institute
Volume: 99
Issue: 6
Page Numbers: 515-523
External Link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00405000701659774

Odor intensity in apparel fabrics and the link with bacterial populations

Author(s): McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Brooks, H.J.L., Niven, B.E.
Publication Date: 2007
Publication: Textile Research Journal
Volume: 77
Issue: 7
Page Numbers: 449-456
External Link: http://trj.sagepub.com/content/77/7/449.abstract

Odor retention on apparel fabrics: development of test methods for sensory detection

Author(s): McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Niven, B.E., Delahunty, C.M., Wilson, C. A.
Publication Date: 2007
Publication: Textile Research Journal
Volume: 77
Issue: 9
Page Numbers: 645-652
External Link: http://trj.sagepub.com/content/77/9/645.abstract

Revising the definition of satisfactory performance for chemical protection for agricultural workers

Author(s): McQueen, R.H., Laing, R.M., Niven, B.E., Webster, J
Publication Date: 2000
Publication: Performance of Protective Clothing Issues and Priorities for the 21st century
Volume: 7
Issue: ASTM STP 1386
Page Numbers: 102-116

The impact of odour on laundering behaviour: An exploratory study

Author(s): R H McQueen, L J Moran, C Cunningham, P M Hooper, K A-M Wakefield
Publication: International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Page Numbers: 20-30
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2019.1682687

From air to clothing: characterizing the accumulation of semi-volatile organic compounds to fabrics in indoor environments

Author(s): Saini, A., Okeme, J. O., Parnis, J. M., McQueen, R. H., & Diamond, M. L.
Publication: Indoor Air
Volume: 27
Issue: 3
Page Numbers: 631-641
External Link: http://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12328