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Rakesh Singh· 8 years ago
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Why do old newspapers and book pages turn yellow over the time?

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Answered on05/13/26

Old newspapers and book pages turn yellow mainly because of a process called oxidation. Most paper is made from wood pulp, which contains a substance called lignin. When paper is exposed to air, sunlight, heat, and moisture over many years, the lignin reacts with oxygen and slowly breaks down. This chemical reaction produces yellow or brownish compounds, which change the color of the paper.

Newspapers usually turn yellow faster because they are made with cheaper paper containing more lignin compared to higher-quality books. Sunlight and humidity speed up the process even more. Honestly, that old yellow color has become so common that many people now associate it with vintage books and nostalgia.

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Aanya Sharma
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Aanya Sharma is a science and technology writer with over 5 years of experience and 300+ published articles across leading digital platforms. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Science (Physics) from Delhi University, which grounds her writing in scientific literacy and gives her the ability to evaluate technical claims with accuracy. Her work has appeared on platforms including The Wire Science, Analytics India Magazine, and Digit.in, where she has covered artificial intelligence, space exploration, consumer technology, environmental science, and emerging tech policy. With a focus on accuracy and clarity, her writing makes complex scientific and technological developments accessible to readers without a technical background. Aanya has participated in science communication panels at events including the India Science Festival and has been recognised as a contributor to responsible tech journalism in India. She is an active member of the National Association of Science Writers (NASW) and maintains a public portfolio of her published work. Across all her work, her writing is grounded in verified sources and a commitment to editorial standards — delivering content that readers can rely on in a space where misinformation spreads easily.

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Replying to the question above
Updated on05/21/26

We all at some point of time come across piles and piles of old magazines and newspapers that kept in some dusty corner of the house and when we take them out during the annual house cleaning we find that what magic turned them way yellower than ever before.

Basically, there is no magic in it and it is all science in this why newspapers and book pages turn yellow over the time.

Paper is made of two main components, cellulose and lignin. Both of them serve the purpose of making the wood, from which paper is made, stronger and harder. Now, the cellulose doesn't change colour that much over the time but lignin turns almost completelyyellow when it is exposed to oxygen in the atmosphere.

This process of oxidation occurs, especially when the lignin comes in contact with the sunlight that completely alters the molecular structure of lignin and this changes the compound structure of it by absorbing and reflecting light. And that is why the paper changes its colour.

If you want to prevent those pages turn yellow then don't keep the paper in humid places because that acts as a trigger for the oxidation process and also, avoid touching it repeatedly to limit the yellowing.

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Jessy Chandra
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Answered on01/07/19
The main reason the pages of a book turn yellow is due to the amount of residual acid left in the paper. All of the suggestions from Mr. Gouvevia, and LIBSYS will delay the onset of yellowing, but sooner or later, paper containing trace amounts of acid will yellow over time,and become brittle.

Your best chance at avoiding the yellowing is to purchase books printed on acid free paper, and store them as suggested. This means no cardboard boxes, or other materials that may contain acid.

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shohag whizzpeople
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