The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive
Abstract Records from a popular series at The National Archives were found to bear warning labels that they have been bound using a ‘poisonous insecticidal solution’. Research into historic sources suggested that the agents used by bookbinders in the early twentieth century were mercuric chloride, c...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Heritage Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00866-y |
| _version_ | 1797831958996189184 |
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| author | Lora V. Angelova Sadat Nawaz Barbara Kafadaroğlu Boaz Paz Francisco Moreta Helen Woollaston Marc Vermeulen Juergen Vervoorst |
| author_facet | Lora V. Angelova Sadat Nawaz Barbara Kafadaroğlu Boaz Paz Francisco Moreta Helen Woollaston Marc Vermeulen Juergen Vervoorst |
| author_sort | Lora V. Angelova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Records from a popular series at The National Archives were found to bear warning labels that they have been bound using a ‘poisonous insecticidal solution’. Research into historic sources suggested that the agents used by bookbinders in the early twentieth century were mercuric chloride, copper sulphate, and beechwood creosote; these may have been replaced by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) mid-century. Analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of mercury in labelled, bound items. A number of OCPs were detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) including DDT, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (Lindane, γ-HCH), Dieldrin, pentachlorophenol (PCP), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and 1-chloronaphthalene (1-CP). Tests confirmed the presence of these agents on all items tested regardless of format (e.g. tagged files and bound volumes) or period of creation, suggesting the OCPs were introduced to the items after the binding process. An occupational hygienist (OH) consultancy was engaged to carry out in-situ air monitoring during production, digitisation, and general handling of the items. Risk assessments were developed based on the results, allowing readers and staff to once again access the collection with safety measures including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:00:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6f8642620b524dfbaa58e7ec05ed2e1e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7445 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:00:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-6f8642620b524dfbaa58e7ec05ed2e1e2023-05-07T11:20:24ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452023-03-0111111610.1186/s40494-023-00866-yThe use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archiveLora V. Angelova0Sadat Nawaz1Barbara Kafadaroğlu2Boaz Paz3Francisco Moreta4Helen Woollaston5Marc Vermeulen6Juergen Vervoorst7Collection Care Department, Bessant Drive, The National ArchivesFERA Science Ltd, York Biotech CampusALAB GmbH-Analyse Labor in BerlinPAZ Laboratorien GmbHSynergy Environmental Solutions Limited, Unit 7, Silverdale Enterprise CentreSynergy Environmental Solutions Limited, Unit 7, Silverdale Enterprise CentreCollection Care Department, Bessant Drive, The National ArchivesCollection Care Department, Bessant Drive, The National ArchivesAbstract Records from a popular series at The National Archives were found to bear warning labels that they have been bound using a ‘poisonous insecticidal solution’. Research into historic sources suggested that the agents used by bookbinders in the early twentieth century were mercuric chloride, copper sulphate, and beechwood creosote; these may have been replaced by organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) mid-century. Analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of mercury in labelled, bound items. A number of OCPs were detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) including DDT, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (Lindane, γ-HCH), Dieldrin, pentachlorophenol (PCP), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and 1-chloronaphthalene (1-CP). Tests confirmed the presence of these agents on all items tested regardless of format (e.g. tagged files and bound volumes) or period of creation, suggesting the OCPs were introduced to the items after the binding process. An occupational hygienist (OH) consultancy was engaged to carry out in-situ air monitoring during production, digitisation, and general handling of the items. Risk assessments were developed based on the results, allowing readers and staff to once again access the collection with safety measures including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00866-yPesticidesInsecticidesBiocidesArchivesLibrariesOrganochlorines |
| spellingShingle | Lora V. Angelova Sadat Nawaz Barbara Kafadaroğlu Boaz Paz Francisco Moreta Helen Woollaston Marc Vermeulen Juergen Vervoorst The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive Heritage Science Pesticides Insecticides Biocides Archives Libraries Organochlorines |
| title | The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive |
| title_full | The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive |
| title_fullStr | The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive |
| title_full_unstemmed | The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive |
| title_short | The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive |
| title_sort | use of poisonous insecticidal solutions in bookbinding coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive |
| topic | Pesticides Insecticides Biocides Archives Libraries Organochlorines |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00866-y |
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