A breakthrough tool has been introduced to help librarians identify and remove potentially toxic materials from old books. The scanner, which can detect the presence of arsenic-laced green pigment, is aimed at Victorian-era tomes that were previously removed from public shelves due to health concerns.
In the past, many classic novels from the 19th century were pulled from circulation after it was discovered that some contained high levels of arsenic in their binding or printing. The discovery led to the removal of thousands of books from libraries worldwide, sparking debate among book lovers and preservationists about the balance between preserving historical works and protecting public health.
The new scanner is designed to help strike this balance by providing a quick and accurate way to identify which books contain toxic materials. This will allow librarians to make informed decisions about how to handle and display these books, potentially saving them from removal altogether.
While the technology is not yet widely available, its introduction has been met with enthusiasm from libraries and book lovers. As one expert noted, “This tool is a game-changer for rare book collections, enabling us to preserve our cultural heritage while also protecting public health.”
Source: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/scientists-protect-librarians-poisonous-books-containing-arsenic-rb6pvkbs5