Toxic book project receives Highly Commended Heritage Award
A collaborative project between our group, and University Collections (Libraries and Museums) received Highly Commended status at the annual Museum and Heritage awards on 15th May 2024.
Access to many 19th century books is restricted worldwide due to the presence of arsenic in green bindings. Institutions, collectors, and sellers struggle to identify which covers are toxic and which are safe. The University’s project aims to solve this problem for St Andrews and for the sector.
The aim is to create a simple tool for use across the library and book-collecting sector that can identify the presence of arsenical Emerald Green pigment in book covers. While high-end non-destructive techniques such as Raman spectroscopy or X-Ray diffraction can be used to detect toxic arsenic compounds, most libraries don’t have access to specialist conservation staff or scientific equipment.
With support from the University’s Impact and Innovation Fund, two prototype devices have been developed and have so far tested over 600 books. The team aims to deliver an inexpensive and user-friendly option for all libraries, private collections, and second-hand bookshops worldwide. The project was nominated for Restoration or Conservation project of the Year at the prestigious Museums and Heritage Awards (referred to as “the Oscars of the Heritage Sector”), ranking above high-profile projects such as the restoration of Elizabeth Tower (the home of Big Ben) at the Houses of Parliament.
