This page contains tips for handling potentially toxic bookbindings safely.
General Handling Tips for 19th-Century Cloth-Case Bindings
Nearly 50% of the 19th-century, cloth-case bindings analyzed for the project to date contain lead in the bookcloth, regardless of color. Lead levels have been shown to be particularly high in bookbindings containing chrome yellow. However, testing so far indicates that the chromium and lead in chrome yellow and chrome green bookcloth remains tightly bound to the cloth and does not offset onto hands.
No matter which pigments or dyes may be present, it is best practice to avoid ingesting anything or touching the face while handling any 19th-century books. It is also best practice to wash hands after handling books, especially before eating, drinking, or smoking.
At left, chrome green (chrome yellow + Prussian blue) bookcloth on an 1874 imprint. This bookcloth contains the heavy metals chromium and lead.
At right, emerald green bookcloth on an 1850 imprint. This bookcloth contains arsenic.
Courtesy of WUDPAC Study Collection and private owner.
Safer Handling & Storage Tips for Arsenical Books
Avoid opportunities for ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact with arsenical green pigment. Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, biting fingernails, or touching the face while handling potentially arsenical bookbindings.
Wear nitrile gloves:
Avoid handling suspected arsenical green books with bare hands. Prolonged direct contact with arsenical green pigment may cause skin lesions over time. A significant amount of arsenic may offset onto the hands and inadvertently be ingested or inhaled when touching the face or eating/drinking. Handling books with damp or sweaty hands can increase the risk of arsenic offsetting onto the skin.
Wash hands:
Even when gloves have been used, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling suspected arsenical green books.
Isolate book for storage:
If a bookbinding component is suspected of containing arsenical green pigment, seal the book in a zip-top, polyethylene baggie to limit handling and contain potentially friable pigment (especially in the case of a cloth binding). The bagged book can be shelved as-is, or further housed inside a custom-size box. If high humidity in the storage area is a concern, a small silica packet may be inserted into the bag to help control moisture.
If possible, remove books from of circulating collections:
Winterthur Library has relocated arsenical books from its circulating collection to its rare book collection to prevent these books from being checked out and used in patrons’ homes.
Wipe down surfaces:
Handle books bound with arsenical green pigment on hard surfaces (such as a table) and avoid upholstered surfaces (such as an armchair). After handling, wipe down hard surfaces that have come into contact with the book using a damp, disposable cloth.
For Conservators:
A professional conservator performing a conservation treatment on a book bound with arsenical green components should observe the same precautions as above. In addition, work under a certified chemical fume hood. If a chemical fume hood is not available, a second option is to conduct treatment using a ductless fume hood for particulates with a combination HEPA/charcoal filter. Given the friability of emerald green pigment on bookcloth, mechanical manipulation such as lifting the cloth from its board support can result in spalling of arsenical pigment dust several times higher than the OSHA exposure limit of 10 micrograms inorganic arsenic per cubic meter of air. Be aware that the introduction of wet adhesives could cause arsenic to migrate in greater concentration toward the source of moisture. Contact between copper acetoarsenite and acidic substances can result in the release of highly toxic arsine gas.
*Based on the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls.
Disposal of Hazardous Waste
Emerald green bookcloth is sufficiently friable that it is likely to offset arsenic onto other surfaces, especially porous surfaces. This offset is invisible to the naked eye, but has been detected through analysis. Disposable cloths used to wipe down surfaces that have come into contact with emerald green bookcloth, as well as nitrile gloves used to handle arsenical green books, should be considered contaminated with trace hazardous waste, and should be disposed of accordingly. Institutions and private collectors without access to a hazardous waste disposal stream should contact their city officials for advice about how to dispose of arsenic-contaminated gloves and cloths safely.
Disaster Planning & Response for Arsenical Books
Should a disaster situation arise involving fire or water, the risks associated with arsenical green pigment in bookbindings increase. These risks can be mitigated with disaster planning and labeling. Consider storing arsenical books together in one storage area which can be clearly labeled for disaster responders, in addition to item-level hazard labels on individual enclosures. While proper PPE should always be worn during salvage, make sure the need for PPE when handling arsenical books is emphasized in written disaster plans.