Toxic Tales: Arsenic’s Legacy in Nineteenth-century Green Book Bindings at Northwestern University Libraries

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.