The use of ‘poisonous insecticidal solutions’ in bookbinding: coping with historic pesticide treatments in the archive

Records from a popular series at The National Archives were found to bear warning labels that they have been bound using ‘poisonous insecticidal solution’. Research into historic sources suggested the agents used by bookbinders in early twentieth century mercuric chloride, copper sulphate, and beechwood creosote; these may replaced organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) mid-century. Analysis X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy confirmed presence of mercury labelled, items. A number OCPs detected gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) including DDT, gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (Lindane, γ-HCH), Dieldrin, pentachlorophenol (PCP), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), 1-chloronaphthalene (1-CP). Tests on all items tested regardless format (e.g. tagged files volumes) or period creation, suggesting introduced after binding process. An occupational hygienist (OH) consultancy was engaged carry out in-situ air monitoring during production, digitisation, general handling Risk assessments developed based results, allowing readers staff once again access collection with safety measures use personal protective equipment (PPE).