Does paper need to be sterilized or cleaned?

[kenny1999]

I have some used books that are, as said, used, not new, from unknown sources and used extensively by unknown people. Does it need to be sterilized or cleaned and how to if it does?

[Sensei]

29 minutes ago, kenny1999 said:

I have some used books that are, as said, used, not new, from unknown sources and used extensively by unknown people. Does it need to be sterilized or cleaned

I wouldn't bother with it. The dirtiest things you touch on daily basis without sterilization are paper money and door handles. If you wash your hands regularly, don't smoke, and don't put your hands in your mouth (child), you are relatively safe if you don't have severe immune system problems.

29 minutes ago, kenny1999 said:

how to if it does?

One way is to use UV light. There are ready-made devices. There is also Sun..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germicidal_lamp

I just found that local library has such device which also opens pages and use UV light on them..

https://www.google.com/search?q=sterilization+uv+light+books

 

Edited March 6 by Sensei

[kenny1999]

On 3/7/2024 at 4:18 AM, Sensei said:

I wouldn't bother with it. The dirtiest things you touch on daily basis without sterilization are paper money and door handles. If you wash your hands regularly, don't smoke, and don't put your hands in your mouth (child), you are relatively safe if you don't have severe immune system problems.

One way is to use UV light. There are ready-made devices. There is also Sun..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germicidal_lamp

I just found that local library has such device which also opens pages and use UV light on them..

https://www.google.com/search?q=sterilization+uv+light+books

 

How long do bacteria, virus, pathogens etc usually stay in paper before they leave or die? UV is a good recommendation but I probably won't do it to a book with hundreds of pages, which is a huge waste of time.

I often read and borrow books from public libraries. But I almost always find strange and unpleasant smell, not strong though, from those books. It's hard to tell how those smells are like, but I am sure that I am not overreacting.

Edited July 15 by kenny1999

[Peterkin]

On 3/6/2024 at 2:53 PM, kenny1999 said:

Does it need to be sterilized or cleaned and how to if it does?

Depends how long ago someone who may have had cooties on their fingers last turned the pages. Pathogens generally cannot survive long without a host. After about five days, the book should be quite safe. If you're not sure, set it on a shelf, covers as wide open as they'll stand up and fan out the pages. Leave it that way for a week, riffling the pages and up-ending the book every now and then. That will usually get rid of musty smell. (Not paperbacks, sorry!)

[iNow]

2 hours ago, kenny1999 said:

I am sure that I am not overreacting.

Don’t be