The Poison Book Project

Could there be a hidden hazard in your library collection? In April 2022, the Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Laboratory welcomed Dr. Melissa Tedone, Lead Conservator of the Poison Book Project, as she shared her team's research in this installment of Season 2 of the Preservation Webinar Series. The Poison Book Project investigates arsenic and other toxic components of bookcloth colourants found in mass-produced, Victorian-era, cloth-bound books. The Project Team explores the historical context within which these materials were produced, and makes recommendations for safer storage and handling of potentially toxic bookbindings.
Each webinar of the Preservation Webinar Series is intended to further empower all with information and techniques for caring for their collections.