Scientists have uncovered traces of the toxic chemical arsenic in the covers of over 200 books sourced from various corners of the globe. The discovery, particularly prevalent in books dating back to the 19th century, has prompted concerns among researchers and libraries alike, leading to the removal of certain volumes from shelves.

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“Old books from the 19th-century featured green covers with worrying levels of arsenic,” remarked one researcher involved in the study.

What rare books are laced with poison?

The identified titles, including renowned works such as “The Complete Poetical Works of William Cowper, Esq” (1845) and “The Liberty Bell” (1856), have raised alarms due to their potential health hazards.

In 2022, librarians in Leeds discovered the 1855 book “My Own Garden: The Young Gardener’s Yearbook” was laced with arsenic as well.

Whilst in France, four books were taken off the shelves from the national library in April for the same reasons. These include the 1862-1863 book of the Royal Horticultural Society, two volumes of Edward Hayes’ “The Ballads of Ireland” from 1855, and an 1856 bilingual anthology of Romanian poetry by Henry Stanley.

Using advanced X-ray technology, researchers at the University of Delaware have also pinpointed red and yellow covers containing mercury and lead compounds. The presence of these toxic substances has sparked a call for vigilance among the public, with scientists warning of possible respiratory issues, lesions, and cancer risks associated with exposure.

What is the world’s poisonous book?

Ironically, the book deemed the most toxic ever released is “Shadows from the Wall of Death,” compiled by American physician Robert Kedzie and published by W.S George & Co. in Lansing, Michigan, in 1874. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the publication was produced to alert the public to the hazards of arsenic-laden dyes used in some wallpaper production at the time. It included 86 samples of wallpaper identified by the author as particularly harmful, collectively containing up to 36 grams of arsenic.

Of the original 100 copies printed, only four remain, each preserved either by encasing the pages in plastic or storing them in airtight containers.

Why are books laced with poisonous substances?

The roots of this revelation trace back to the Victorian era when publishers sought cost-effective alternatives to traditional leather covers. Opting for vibrant green dyes containing arsenic, known as Paris green or Scheele’s green, these publishers inadvertently introduced a lethal component to countless volumes. Despite the initial allure of these bright hues, the long-term health implications have only recently come to light.

In the years following the discovery of emerald and Paris green dyes, numerous accounts emerged of fatal incidents linked to prolonged exposure to these substances. These dyes were found on various items, leading to severe health consequences. For instance, children were reportedly poisoned by candles at Christmas parties, wearers of green-coloured ballgowns suffered toxic effects, and factory workers experienced convulsions and vomiting of green-tinted fluid after painting ornaments.

On top of this, there have been suggestions that the exposure to these harmful dyes might have contributed to the deaths of Jane Austen, the famed author of “Pride and Prejudice,” and Napoleon Bonaparte, who died of stomach cancer.

Poison books: why are they dangerous?

“We have put these works in quarantine and an external laboratory will analyze them to evaluate how much arsenic is present in each volume,” stated officials from France’s National Library, which recently removed several emerald green-covered books suspected of arsenic contamination.

The Poison Book Project, initiated in 2019, aims to assess the prevalence of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury in book covers. Melissa Tedone, a conservator at Delaware’s Winterthur Museum, recounted her discovery of arsenic pigment while repairing a book, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and precautionary measures.

“We are not aware of any cases of anyone getting seriously ill from handling a book like this,” she said.

“We just want to make people aware of the potential hazards so that we can avoid any tragedy ever happening from one of these books,” Tedone stated.

What to do with poison books

If you should suspect a book contains any of these chemicals, don’t throw it away. However, it’s worth following these safe handling tips provided by the University of Chicago and The Poison Book Project.

• Avoid ingestion by mouth or nose (i.e: don’t put your fingers in your mouth after handling it)
• Avoid handling suspected poison books with bare hands, hence use nitrile gloves
• Wash hands after handling using soap and water (even when wearing gloves)
• Keep the book away from children and pets
• Seal the book in a polyethylene ziplock bag
• After handling, wipe down hard surfaces that have come into contact with the book using a damp, disposable cloth
• If possible, remove books from of circulating collection.

The university stated: “Our best current estimate based on the testing we have done is that less than .03% of the print titles in our collection contain arsenic.”

As libraries and researchers delve deeper into the hidden dangers lurking within centuries-old volumes, the safety of handling such artefacts has become a pressing concern.