Latest news with #toxicbooks
Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Times
Librarians breathe easy as tool spots toxic book pigment
In The Name of the Rose, a poisonous book was used to murder several monks in a 14th century abbey. Far-fetched, one might think — but toxic books are a real problem for those handling historic works. Now scientists have devised a tool to identify hazardous books with green bindings which contain arsenic. While exposure is unlikely to lead to horrific deaths with blackened fingers and tongues, as in the novel by Umberto Eco and the film of the same name starring Sean Connery, the toxic pigment can be harmful. Publishers used arsenic to create a vibrant colour known as emerald green. Academics say that the risk to the public is low but frequent handling of the books can lead to health problems, including irritation of the eyes, nose and through — and potentially more serious effects. Libraries and collections around the world have prevented access to parts of their book collections, including the French National Library last year. Many institutions have forbidden access to all suspect green books from their collections as a precaution. Last year Bielefeld University isolated about 60,000 books, with other German universities following suit. The University of St Andrews, which has developed the tool, said that testing had until now been a specialised, costly and time-consuming process, leading institutions to isolate swathes of books. The device, developed in collaboration between the university's libraries and museums and its physics department, can quickly and cheaply detect the presence of toxic pigment in book bindings. It said that this would make it easier to distinguish hazardous books from those which are safe to handle and display. Dr Graham Bruce and Dr Morgan Facchin, from the physics department, developed a portable tool to identify the poisonous books. It shines different colours of light onto the book, and analyses how much is reflected to provide a 'fingerprint' of pigments. Bruce said: 'It is handheld and allows us to screen an individual book for the presence of emerald green pigment in a fraction of a second. It has been exciting to see it being used in libraries and collections across Scotland. Our team has been asked to look at thousands of books, of which over 100 have been identified as containing emerald green pigment.' Historic wallpaper and textiles coloured green may also contain arsenic. Dr Pilar Gil, a heritage scientist who led the research, said the starting point was a device used to detect minerals in rocks and the 'eureka moment' was discovering the unique reflective pattern from emerald green pigment. Dr Jessica Burdge, assistant director of libraries and museums at St Andrews, said: 'This work is a brilliant example of how universities and research can solve real problems. The emerald green detection tool is the result of a collaboration that plays to the strengths of different expertise across the university.' An exhibition, titled Poisonous Books, Dangers from the Past, which explores the project has opened at the Wardlaw Museum in St Andrews. Mark Lorch, professor of public engagement and science communication at the University of Hull, wrote recently: 'During the 19th century, as books began to be mass produced, bookbinders transitioned from using expensive leather covers to more affordable cloth items. To attract readers, these cloth covers were often dyed in bright, eye-catching colours.' Dyes quickly adopted for use in various items, including book covers, clothing, candles and wallpaper had a significant drawback, he said. 'They degraded easily, releasing poisonous and carcinogenic arsenic. The frequent reports of green candles poisoning children at Christmas parties, factory workers tasked with applying paint to ornaments convulsing and vomiting green water and warnings of poisonous ball dresses raised serious concerns.'
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Tool to identify poisonous books developed by University of St Andrews
A new tool to quickly identify books that are poisonous to humans has been developed by the University of St Andrews. Historically, publishers used arsenic mixed with copper to achieve a vivid emerald green colour for book covers. While the risk to the public is 'low', handling arsenic-containing books regularly can lead to health issues including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat along with more serious side-effects. The toxic pigment in the book bindings can flake off, meaning small pieces can easily be inhaled. In recent years, many libraries have prevented access to all suspect green books as a precaution, as testing has until now been costly and time-consuming. For example, the University of Bielefeld, along with several other German universities, isolated 60,000 books as a precautionary measure last year. The new device can quickly and cheaply detect the presence of toxic pigment. 'A device used in the School of Earth Sciences to detect minerals in rocks was the starting point,' said Pilar Gil, who led the research. 'The Eureka moment was discovering the unique reflectance pattern from emerald green pigment in the visible spectrum. The idea was then to apply this discovery to an instrument which we could use and share with the sector.' Two scientists from the university's astronomy and physics school, Graham Bruce and Morgan Facchin, developed a portable tool. 'Our device shines different colours of light on to the book,' said Facchin. 'The amount of light reflected at each colour is like a fingerprint of the pigment in the book,' he added. 'Through extensive work using books from the university's collections, our team have found a way to identify the fingerprint of emerald green on a book.' Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion The handheld device can screen books to test for the pigment in a fraction of a second. 'Our team has been asked to look at thousands of books, of which more than 100 have been identified as containing emerald green pigment,' said Bruce. At St Andrews, emerald green books are stored in Ziploc polythene bags. 'When the books are used, we check first if there are any other copies available which are not bound in emerald green,' reads the university's website. 'If not, the book is handled with special precautions such as the use of nitrile gloves.' In the 19th century, arsenic and copper were often used to create a vivid green colour for clothing, wallpaper, paint and other products along with book bindings. 'The retention of green books from public view is not only a matter of safety, but it also restricts access to the information contained,' said conservator Erica Kotze, who instigated the project. 'This means that the books which have been tested and found not to contain the pigment can remain available to users.' A free exhibition exploring the project, Poisonous books – Dangers from the past, is running at the Wardlaw Museum in St Andrews until the end of July.
