Arsenic-Laced Books Removed from National Library of France
Four books have been removed from France’s National Library over concerns that their covers may be laced with poisonous arsenic. These 19th-century volumes, printed in Britain, all have emerald green covers, a color that was commonly achieved using arsenic as a pigment during that time period.
The potential danger of these books was identified by researchers from the University of Delaware. The library has stated that the books would only cause minor harm if handled, but they have been placed in quarantine. An external laboratory will analyze them to determine the level of arsenic present in each volume.
The Poison Book Project
The four books in question 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. These titles were identified as potentially hazardous by the Poison Book Project, an initiative run by researchers from the University of Delaware in collaboration with Delaware’s Winterthur Museum.
The Poison Book Project has been testing book covers for heavy metals since 2019 and has created a list of titles that are potentially dangerous. Four copies on this list were found within the National Library of France’s collection of over 16 million books.
Arsenic in Victorian-Era Book Bindings
During the Victorian era, publishers commonly used arsenic to color book bindings. Pigments such as Paris Green, Emerald Green, and Scheele’s Green, named after a German-born chemist, contained arsenic. The Poison Book Project advises caution when handling books laced with this toxin, as they could present a health risk.
In response to finding some affected titles within its collection, the National Library of France has stated that it will also examine other books beyond the Poison Book Project’s list. This proactive approach ensures the safety of library staff and visitors.
Arsenic as a Health Hazard
The World Health Organization warns against long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking water and food, stating that the substance is highly toxic in its inorganic form. While they do not provide specific advice for handling items containing arsenic, it is clear that caution is necessary.
In 2022, a rare book laced with arsenic was discovered by librarians in Leeds. “My Own Garden: The Young Gardener’s Yearbook,” published in 1855, has a vivid green cover. Senior librarian Rhian Isaac found the book while cross-referencing the library’s collection against the Poison Book Project’s global database of known toxic texts.
Books have also been recently removed from shelves in Germany as a precaution due to possible arsenic contamination. These actions highlight the importance of ongoing research and vigilance in identifying and handling potentially hazardous materials within library collections.
