New Delhi: Be cautious when handling or even try to avoid Victorian-era books with vividly coloured covers bound in fabric. Research published on Sunday suggests that these books may conceal harmful poisons such as lead and chromium that could endanger the health of readers, collectors, or librarians. Prolonged exposure to these toxic substances can lead to serious health issues, including neurological problems and organ damage.
After thoroughly evaluating the hazardous dyes in a university collection, researchers from Lipscomb University in the US made a surprising discovery. They found that handling some volumes could be risky, as the pigments from these cloth covers could rub off on the hands or become airborne, potentially exposing the users to harmful substances.
“These old books with toxic dyes may be in universities, public libraries, and private collections,” said Abigail Hoermann, an undergraduate chemistry student at Lipscomb University.
Also read – No Mpox case reported in India PM consistently monitoring situation centre
The research, which began when Lipscomb librarians approached the chemistry department to test 19th—and early-20th-century fabric-covered books, has significant implications. Inspired by the Winterthur Museum’s discovery of arsenic-laden copper acetoarsenite in book covers, the team launched its investigation in 2022.
They used three spectroscopic techniques: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to detect heavy metals, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to measure metal concentrations, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify pigment molecules.
XRD testing, a first for books, revealed high levels of lead and chromium, particularly in the form of lead(II) chromate, a pigment also used by Vincent van Gogh.
The Lipscomb library sealed untested and proven dangerous books in plastic bags for safe handling and storage after their investigation revealed metal concentrations in some of the volumes above US CDC standards for chronic exposure.
The researchers plan to advocate for non-destructive testing methods like XRD to protect historical collections without damaging them. This could significantly impact the preservation of historical books, allowing libraries to identify and safely handle potentially dangerous volumes. “Moving forward,” says Hoermann, “we want libraries to be able to test their collections without destroying them, ensuring the safety of both the books and the people who handle them.”
The team will present their findings at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2024 meeting, which will be held virtually and in person from August 18 to 22.
For more updates Subscribe to Media Eye News
–IANS
