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Tool to identify poisonous books developed by University of St Andrews

Arsenic was historically mixed with copper to create a vivid green for book covers, which can irritate modern day readers

While the risk to the public is “low”, handling arsenic-containing books regularly can lead to health issues including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat along with more serious side-effects. Photograph: University of St AndrewsIn recent years, many libraries have prevented access to all suspect green books as a precaution, as testing has until now been costly and time-consuming. “The retention of green books from public view is not only a matter of safety, but it also restricts access to the information contained,” said conservator Erica Kotze, who instigated the project.

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