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If books could kill … Danish scientists found high levels of arsenic in three books of the 16 and 17 centuries.
Experts from the University of Southern Denmark made the surprising discovery by studying fragments of medieval manuscripts that were used to bind books.
Kaare Lund Rasmussen, associate professor at the University of Southern Denmark, told Fox News that after the Danish Reformation in 1536, many Catholic books were destroyed. "Some were burned, others were evicted," he told Fox News, by e-mail, noting that some scrolls were also reused to bind "new" books from the 1500s and 1600s.
BEING A MEDIEVAL MURDER WEAPON
The researchers wanted to identify the Latin texts used, or at least read the content, according to a chronicle of The Conversation of Rasmussen and Jacob Povl Holck, research librarian at the university
Inside a book binding one of the books, which dates back to the 16th century
(Southern Denmark University)
"We were looking for a writing that comes in the form of ink that may contain copper, iron or calcium," he added. "However, by the time we placed the x-ray beam on the green surface, we saw the large amounts of arsenic."
Scientists used X-ray micro-fluorescence technology, widely used to analyze the chemical properties of pottery. paintings. This analysis revealed that the green pigment on the covers of the books is arsenic
A RESTRACTION OF COLD POISON IN A QUIET ENGLISH HOUSE
The library stores toxic volumes in separate cartons with security labels in a ventilated cabinet, according to Rasmussen and Holck.
An X-ray machine analyzing one of the books (Southern Denmark University)
The authors say the books highlight the potential risks posed by some ancient books
"The next step is to warn librarians and readers of old books to wear protective gloves and advise Libraries keep their old green books in a dry, dark environment, out of reach of people who inhale the air above the books, "Rasmussen told Fox News. "The reason for this last recommendation is that arsenic has a tendency to turn into arsine suspended in the air (AsH3) in good conditions of moisture and light. In addition to the toxicity, the Arsenic is also carcinogenic. "
THIS HAS CAUSED A LITTLE OF MASSIVE EPIDEMIC PEOPLES KILLED IN COLONIAL MEXICO
The pigment containing arsenic on old books may to be used, not for the sake of the researchers, […]
Scientists were looking for fragments of medieval manuscripts used to bind the books whenever they wanted. discovered arsenic
(Southern Denmark University)
The National Biotechnology Information Center describes arsine as extremely toxic and prevents colorless gas from breaking red blood cells, causing death by kidney failure.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
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