It’s Not Easy Being Green – The Challenge of Having Poisonous Arsenic Containing Books in a National Library Collection in Studies in conservation, Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01)

Public ISBD [article]  inStudies in conservation > Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01) . - P. 702-713 Titre : It’s Not Easy Being Green – The Challenge of Having Poisonous Arsenic Containing Books in a National Library Collection Type de document : texte imprimé Année de publication : 2025 Article en page(s) : P. 702-713 Langues : Anglais (eng) Catégories : Archives -- Matériaux -- Toxicologie -- Identification Arsenic -- Toxicologie Documentation de bibliothèque -- Conservation et restauration -- Toxicologie Koninklijke bibliotheek (Pays-Bas) -- Fonds spéciaux -- Livres rares -- Conservation et restauration Pigments -- Toxicologie Index. décimale : 7.025 Dommages. Conservation. Protection Résumé : Poisonous books in library collections with public access pose a specific challenge due to the fact that library staff and readers handle collection items intensely. This article describes the quest of the KB National Library of the Netherlands in how to deal specifically with arsenic used in colorants for library materials. It addresses the challenges of not knowing which collection items contain poisonous arsenic components, whether or not their presence constitutes a health risk, as well as dealing with official hygiene laws and regulations in handling arsenic. It describes two lines of research carried out by the library: one addressing the potential exposure to arsenic when handling these items and the other identifying arsenic containing items in the collections. The overall results of the exposure research do not show a direct link between increased arsenic levels found in the biomonitoring study and the work environment (at this specific library, at the time of testing). However, arsenic was found on work surfaces and tools used while handling arsenic containing objects. Legal health and safety regulations stipulate strict hygiene measures, which at first glance appear somewhat paradoxical to the outcome of the exposure study. Libraries have the duty to implement hygiene measures to ensure safe handling of these materials by staff and readers. The article describes the quest of the KB National Library of the Netherlands in dealing with books containing arsenic and will discuss the specific challenge and possible opportunity of the upcoming relocation of the entire collection to a new external robotized storage facility. [article] It’s Not Easy Being Green – The Challenge of Having Poisonous Arsenic Containing Books in a National Library Collection [texte imprimé] . - 2025 . - P. 702-713. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Studies in conservation > Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01) . - P. 702-713 Catégories : Archives -- Matériaux -- Toxicologie -- Identification Arsenic -- Toxicologie Documentation de bibliothèque -- Conservation et restauration -- Toxicologie Koninklijke bibliotheek (Pays-Bas) -- Fonds spéciaux -- Livres rares -- Conservation et restauration Pigments -- Toxicologie Index. décimale : 7.025 Dommages. Conservation. Protection Résumé : Poisonous books in library collections with public access pose a specific challenge due to the fact that library staff and readers handle collection items intensely. This article describes the quest of the KB National Library of the Netherlands in how to deal specifically with arsenic used in colorants for library materials. It addresses the challenges of not knowing which collection items contain poisonous arsenic components, whether or not their presence constitutes a health risk, as well as dealing with official hygiene laws and regulations in handling arsenic. It describes two lines of research carried out by the library: one addressing the potential exposure to arsenic when handling these items and the other identifying arsenic containing items in the collections. The overall results of the exposure research do not show a direct link between increased arsenic levels found in the biomonitoring study and the work environment (at this specific library, at the time of testing). However, arsenic was found on work surfaces and tools used while handling arsenic containing objects. Legal health and safety regulations stipulate strict hygiene measures, which at first glance appear somewhat paradoxical to the outcome of the exposure study. Libraries have the duty to implement hygiene measures to ensure safe handling of these materials by staff and readers. The article describes the quest of the KB National Library of the Netherlands in dealing with books containing arsenic and will discuss the specific challenge and possible opportunity of the upcoming relocation of the entire collection to a new external robotized storage facility.

Multi-Analytical Investigation of Arsenical Transfer and Remediation on Nineteenth-Century Green Books in Studies in conservation, Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01)

Public ISBD [article]  inStudies in conservation > Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01) . - P. 714-729 Titre : Multi-Analytical Investigation of Arsenical Transfer and Remediation on Nineteenth-Century Green Books Type de document : texte imprimé Année de publication : 2025 Article en page(s) : P. 714-729 Langues : Anglais (eng) Catégories : Arsenic -- Contamination -- Recherche Arsenic -- Toxicologie Conservation et restauration -- Méthodologie -- 21e siècle Documentation de bibliothèque -- Conservation et restauration -- Toxicologie Fourier, Spectroscopie infrarouge à transformée de Livres -- États-Unis -- 19e siècle -- Conservation et restauration Microscopie électronique à balayage Northwestern university. Library -- Fonds spéciaux -- Livres rares -- Conservation et restauration Rayonnement synchrotron Spectroscopie des rayons X Spectroscopie Raman Vert de Paris Index. décimale : 7.025 Dommages. Conservation. Protection Résumé : Books containing heavy metals, specifically nineteenth-century green arsenical books, have been identified at Northwestern University Libraries, raising health and safety concerns related to handling. Copper acetoarsenite pigments, such as emerald green, were detected on book covers, decorative page edges, labels, and other components using noninvasive analytical techniques including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Further examination of selected volumes using synchrotron radiation (SR) techniques revealed pigment migration, degradation, and arsenic transfer to adjacent books. This paper expands on initial findings through two related experiments. The first explored the transfer of arsenic using mechanical friction; Staedtler Mars® white vinyl erasers rubbed on arsenical books generated crumbs which were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Results confirmed the transfer of arsenic, copper, and lead, with decorative page edges being particularly prone to shedding arsenic onto other materials. The second experiment tested remediation methods on a book contaminated by prolonged exposure to an arsenical neighbor. Surface cleaning using erasers and a vacuum removed flecks of pigment but did not eliminate non-chromophoric arsenic as confirmed by SR analyses, which highlights its presence either as a degradation product embedded within the paper or present in the paper as part of its production process. Findings demonstrate the acute toxicity risk posed by arsenical books and support the need for safe handling protocols. However, materials with only trace levels of arsenic embedded during production may pose a lower risk of transfer. Cross contamination beyond prolonged direct contact appears limited. These results highlight critical considerations for library preservation practices and future research on arsenic in historical materials. [article] Multi-Analytical Investigation of Arsenical Transfer and Remediation on Nineteenth-Century Green Books [texte imprimé] . - 2025 . - P. 714-729. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Studies in conservation > Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01) . - P. 714-729 Catégories : Arsenic -- Contamination -- Recherche Arsenic -- Toxicologie Conservation et restauration -- Méthodologie -- 21e siècle Documentation de bibliothèque -- Conservation et restauration -- Toxicologie Fourier, Spectroscopie infrarouge à transformée de Livres -- États-Unis -- 19e siècle -- Conservation et restauration Microscopie électronique à balayage Northwestern university. Library -- Fonds spéciaux -- Livres rares -- Conservation et restauration Rayonnement synchrotron Spectroscopie des rayons X Spectroscopie Raman Vert de Paris Index. décimale : 7.025 Dommages. Conservation. Protection Résumé : Books containing heavy metals, specifically nineteenth-century green arsenical books, have been identified at Northwestern University Libraries, raising health and safety concerns related to handling. Copper acetoarsenite pigments, such as emerald green, were detected on book covers, decorative page edges, labels, and other components using noninvasive analytical techniques including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Further examination of selected volumes using synchrotron radiation (SR) techniques revealed pigment migration, degradation, and arsenic transfer to adjacent books. This paper expands on initial findings through two related experiments. The first explored the transfer of arsenic using mechanical friction; Staedtler Mars® white vinyl erasers rubbed on arsenical books generated crumbs which were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Results confirmed the transfer of arsenic, copper, and lead, with decorative page edges being particularly prone to shedding arsenic onto other materials. The second experiment tested remediation methods on a book contaminated by prolonged exposure to an arsenical neighbor. Surface cleaning using erasers and a vacuum removed flecks of pigment but did not eliminate non-chromophoric arsenic as confirmed by SR analyses, which highlights its presence either as a degradation product embedded within the paper or present in the paper as part of its production process. Findings demonstrate the acute toxicity risk posed by arsenical books and support the need for safe handling protocols. However, materials with only trace levels of arsenic embedded during production may pose a lower risk of transfer. Cross contamination beyond prolonged direct contact appears limited. These results highlight critical considerations for library preservation practices and future research on arsenic in historical materials.

Toxic Tales: Arsenic’s Legacy in Nineteenth-century Green Book Bindings at Northwestern University Libraries in Studies in conservation, Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01)  

Public ISBD [article]  inStudies in conservation > Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01) . - P. 745-761 Titre : Toxic Tales: Arsenic’s Legacy in Nineteenth-century Green Book Bindings at Northwestern University Libraries Type de document : texte imprimé Année de publication : 2025 Article en page(s) : P. 745-761 Langues : Anglais (eng) Catégories : Arsenic -- Contamination -- Identification Arsenic -- Toxicologie Bibliothèques -- Publics -- Aspect sanitaire -- 21e siècle Conservation et restauration -- Méthodologie -- 21e siècle Documentation de bibliothèque -- Conservation et restauration -- Toxicologie Métaux lourds -- Toxicologie -- Dépistage Northwestern university. Library -- Fonds spéciaux -- Livres rares -- Conservation et restauration Patrimoine écrit -- Conservation et restauration -- Évaluation du risque -- 21e siècle Pigments -- Toxicologie Vert de Paris Index. décimale : 7.025 Dommages. Conservation. Protection Résumé : Northwestern University Libraries (NUL), partnering with the Northwestern University – Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS), identified nineteenth-century green books that were created using arsenic and other heavy metals. Various analytical techniques have revealed that arsenical pigments were used in the USA and Europe on cloth and paper book covers, page edges, and labels producing a range of green hues and tints. Previous research has shown that over time, the pigments transform into degradation products, can migrate to non-pigmented areas, and transfer to adjacent books. As a result of these findings, NUL investigated potential hazards to users and caretakers and concluded that handling these materials presented possible health risks. NUL took steps to reduce risks to patrons and library staff including staff training, removal of suspected volumes containing arsenical materials from the open stacks, updating the reader agreement, establishment of an off-site hazardous materials storage area, creation of standard operating procedures, and development of a housing and labeling system. By sharing these activities, Northwestern hopes to build awareness of potential hazards in cultural institutions, provide safe access to the rare original materials, and provide a model for other organizations who may hold similar materials. En ligne : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00393630.2025.2460403 [article] Toxic Tales: Arsenic’s Legacy in Nineteenth-century Green Book Bindings at Northwestern University Libraries [texte imprimé] . - 2025 . - P. 745-761. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Studies in conservation > Vol.70 N°7-8(2025; October-November) (2025-10-01) . - P. 745-761 Catégories : Arsenic -- Contamination -- Identification Arsenic -- Toxicologie Bibliothèques -- Publics -- Aspect sanitaire -- 21e siècle Conservation et restauration -- Méthodologie -- 21e siècle Documentation de bibliothèque -- Conservation et restauration -- Toxicologie Métaux lourds -- Toxicologie -- Dépistage Northwestern university. Library -- Fonds spéciaux -- Livres rares -- Conservation et restauration Patrimoine écrit -- Conservation et restauration -- Évaluation du risque -- 21e siècle Pigments -- Toxicologie Vert de Paris Index. décimale : 7.025 Dommages. Conservation. Protection Résumé : Northwestern University Libraries (NUL), partnering with the Northwestern University – Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS), identified nineteenth-century green books that were created using arsenic and other heavy metals. Various analytical techniques have revealed that arsenical pigments were used in the USA and Europe on cloth and paper book covers, page edges, and labels producing a range of green hues and tints. Previous research has shown that over time, the pigments transform into degradation products, can migrate to non-pigmented areas, and transfer to adjacent books. As a result of these findings, NUL investigated potential hazards to users and caretakers and concluded that handling these materials presented possible health risks. NUL took steps to reduce risks to patrons and library staff including staff training, removal of suspected volumes containing arsenical materials from the open stacks, updating the reader agreement, establishment of an off-site hazardous materials storage area, creation of standard operating procedures, and development of a housing and labeling system. By sharing these activities, Northwestern hopes to build awareness of potential hazards in cultural institutions, provide safe access to the rare original materials, and provide a model for other organizations who may hold similar materials. En ligne : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00393630.2025.2460403

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