this post was submitted on 07 Mar 2024
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Mildly Interesting

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This is for strictly mildly interesting material. If it's too interesting, it doesn't belong. If it's not interesting, it doesn't belong.

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The chemistry behind new and old book smells (media.mstdn.social)
submitted 10 months ago by FenrirIII to c/mildlyinteresting
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[–] [email protected] 20 points 10 months ago

I used to work at a library, and about 10% of the books had a pleasing aroma, and the other 90% smelled like literal ass.

[–] Live_your_lives 7 points 10 months ago

I believe most paints have been switched over to having low VOC content due to increased cancer risk. That means book reading might be cancerous to your health! (Or maybe not.)

[–] HoustonHenry 6 points 10 months ago

I remember coming across the word "furfural" years ago, never knew what it meant 👍👍

[–] devilish666 6 points 10 months ago (2 children)

New books made with the latest technology should last longer than old books, right?

[–] LeafOnTheWind 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

A lot of more modern books yellow much easier. I forgot why, but something to do with how the paper is made.

[–] Everythingispenguins 5 points 10 months ago

The paper has acid in it as a by-product of modern paper manufacturing. They specifically make acid free paper for archival reasons.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 10 months ago

LOL not if capitalism is involved.

'latest technology ' usually just means planned obsolescence and as a service costs...so no, they probably won't last long at all.

[–] BallShapedMan 5 points 10 months ago

This is more than mildly interesting, I love it and love the smell of books!!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Books contain lignin?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 10 months ago

Lignin balls lmao gottem

[–] SchmidtGenetics 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Does this account for the permeability of the paper and how it will smell sweet after being in a sugar factory or similar place?

Breweries would have an alcohol smell…

Smoker takes it home for a couple weeks.

[–] LazaroFilm 3 points 10 months ago

As someone who’s allergic to paper mold. I hate this.

[–] ieightpi 2 points 10 months ago

So interesting! Also benzene is bad lol

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Most of them are not healthy.

[–] Zerlyna 1 points 9 months ago

Makes me think if the mimeographed worksheets in elementary school. Better than glue. 🤣

[–] javasux 1 points 10 months ago

This sounds like it was written by ChatGPT

[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago

(sorry to intrude). This has had a few cross-posts on Lemmy - this one technically wasn't, but it seems Lemmy has picked up on it. If you want some ALT text, and to reply to author of this image, the link that goes to [email protected] provides that.