In 1895, an Omaha Public librarian named Jessie Allan died of tuberculosis. Her death occurred during the time of the “great book scare,” a public panic of the late 19th century when it was believed that dust from library books spread diseases (1).
While we now know that books do not transmit infectious diseases, there are times when library materials can pose hazards to the staff and patrons who handle them.
In 2015, Widener Library staff at Harvard University discovered an unidentified white powder in books acquired four years earlier from a book dealer in Pakistan. The powder was tested and subsequently identified as Dichlorodiphenyltricholroethane (DDT) and Coumaphos, legal insecticides in some Middle Eastern countries. These volumes were part of a more extensive collection, and other volumes were also found to be contaminated (2).
Particulates like the insecticides discovered by the Widener staff, arsenic in the book bindings of early 19th century books (3), or acetic acid on film with vinegar syndrome (4) are fortunately rare occurrences for active collections. However, there are two significant hazards found in virtually every library: mold and dusts.
In one study at a university library, typical staff activities—packing and unpacking boxes, shifting books on shelves, general, circulation activities, and walking through the library—exposed the staff to airborne mold spores and dust particulates that exceed the occupational exposure limit (5).
Mold
Possible health effects
- Common reactions to mold include respiratory infections, migraines, nausea, eye and skin irritation, and bacterial infections.
- Even low levels of airborne mold can trigger allergic reactions if exposure is prolonged.
- Although rare, active mold spores can cause permanent respiratory problems.
Safe-handling recommendations
- Wear protection while handling moldy materials: NIOSH-approved masks for respiratory protection and nitrile gloves for skin protection.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
- Do not apply a fungicide on items or shelves.
- Cleaning should be performed by preservation professionals only.
- Moldy materials should be removed from the collection and stored in a well-ventilated room until a preservation professional can make an evaluation.
- Consider replacing or digitizing the material.
Dust (and other particulates)
Possible health effects
- Common reactions to dust include respiratory irritation, headaches, and eye irritation. These allergic reactions range from mild to severe.
- Prolonged exposure can mean that allergies will develop with relatively low airborne dust levels.
- Dust can contain bacteria, dust mites, metal particulates, or acidic compounds—irritants that can cause respiratory infections or skin burns.
- Dust attracts pests, which carry their own health risks.
Safe-handling recommendations
- Wear a NIOSH-approved mask while handling materials covered with heavy layers of dust.
- Wear nitrile gloves when handling dusty film or photographs: to prevent damage to the material and possible exposure to acidic compounds like acetic acid.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
- Establish a weekly vacuuming schedule with Housekeeping for all floors.
- Establish a monthly dusting schedule with library pages for all shelves. Use static dust cloths; do not use chemically-treated cloths that contain anti-dust cleaners.
- Perform a summer stacks cleaning project when student workers are available and when circulation is lower.
- HEPA vacuuming should be performed for items with heavy layers of dust, preferably by preservation professionals.