Old books branded ‘poisonous to the touch’ as scientists warn millions to look for two signs of dangerous chemical
BOOKS made up to a century ago may contain remnants of arsenic or other chemicals and could cause poisoning just by touching them.
Arsenic-filled books have been under the radar by the Poisonous Book Project which is working to get hazardous literature off shelves with specific warning signs in mind.
The Poisonous Book Project is a collaborative research project consisting of the Winterthur Museum, the Garden & Library, and the University of Delaware.
The project identifies hazardous books through, “research focused on identifying potentially toxic pigments used in bookbinding components.” its website said.
“And how to handle and store potentially toxic collections more safely.”
It looks for books containing arsenic and other heavy metals like lead, chromium, and mercury.
ARSENIC GREEN
In the late 1700s, it was discovered that a vivid green-colored dye could be made by mixing copper and arsenic, The Conversation reported.
The bright green arsenic dye was cheap to make and was also very pleasing to look at.
This caused book publishers at the time to use the poisoned dye to color the covers of books.
Arsenic was widely used centuries ago as people were completely unaware of its harm.
Red and yellow dyes on old books are also a concern to the Poisonous Book Project.
Yellow dye at the time was made using lead and chromium which are both toxic.
The red dye was created using mercury sulfide which could lead to mercury poisoning.
However, the green-dyed books with arsenic are of the most concern.
The Poisonous Book Project recently got two books removed from shelves at the French National Library, per The Conversation.
The two books included the green cloth and led to suspicions of arsenic being used when they were made.
WARNING SIGNS
A few warning signs could particularly mean a book is a culprit of poisonous remnants.
This includes the age of the book and the color/material of it.
Books made from 1775 until the end of the 19th century may be a risk.
You should also specifically be aware of green, red, and yellow books from this time.
If you come in contact with a poisonous book you may notice irritation to your eyes, nose, or throat, scientists warn, per The Conversation.
You won’t become instantly poisoned but it could lead to some issues.
People who regularly are in contact with these books are who should have the most concern.