NEWARK: Scientists have discovered traces of the toxic metal arsenic in the covers of more than 200 books around the world.
19th-century books with green covers have been found to contain arsenic at alarming levels, prompting some libraries to remove them.
Researchers at the University of Delaware in Newark, USA, used X-rays to identify red and yellow skins that contained mercury and lead.
After the warning, scientists are warning people to be careful with books contaminated with these toxic metals. These metals can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation and cancer.
Victorian publishers began printing books on a large scale in the 19th century, but it became expensive as book titles were made from leather.
Book printers later started making books from green leather rather than leather as it was a cheaper alternative to leather. However, these people did not know that the arsenic used to make the dye could prove fatal.
