Old works suspected

Arsenic alert: libraries now stop lending books

After it became known a few days ago that the library at Bielefeld University had blocked tens of thousands of books from being lent out due to suspected arsenic, Viennese libraries are now following suit. Suspected books are now being checked for the poison.

The Austrian National Library (ÖNB) announced on Friday that for the time being it will no longer issue books with a green cover from the 19th century. They will first be tested for arsenic at the in-house Institute for Restoration, ÖNB Director General told ORF.

No concrete find yet
Initial tests have already been carried out on a small number of books. No arsenic had been discovered. Many books do not need to be tested. The selection of books with green edges is rather limited, it was said.

Checks are also currently being carried out in the library of the University of Vienna. The Vienna Library in City Hall wants to hand over the relevant objects for restoration and points out that many of the works are available digitally anyway.

In any case, the Vienna libraries took the incident in Germany with humor. "Our books sometimes contain traces of kebab, Mannerschnitten and potato chips, but no arsenic," the social media team at the city's libraries tries to reassure its visitors.

Arsenic, the poisonous element

Arsenic is a toxic element that occurs in nature but can also be released by humans. It can be found in water, food and even in the air and can cause nausea, vomiting and even cancer. However, it is also used in small quantities in medicine and industry.

Dust from books could be toxic
Arsenic is toxic. In the 19th century, arsenic compounds were sometimes used in the production of books and magazines. A potential hazard can arise if the volumes are touched with green clippings and the fingers are moistened with the tongue to turn the pages.

The dust on the books could also contain arsenic and be inhaled, or arsenic could get into the eyes by touching the volumes.