I understand everyone prefers to collect mint items. I dont understand the thought, nearly anyway, of burning any book touched by fungus (mold, mildew) or staple rust.

I dont mean to place this in terms or standards or preference. Properly storing collectables in sealed containers, using descants in a cool low humidity environment, is necessary regardless of an items condition.

Sure, I separate my nicest items and segregate the not so nice. I also know its meaningless without proper storage. My collectables already contain the organisms and molecules that can destroy them. Just because I cant smell them or see them, doesn't mean they aren't there. And if I can see them or smell them, I can stop them from getting worse; maintaining whatever condition is left, just like I do with my mint items.

I am saying: Enjoy the collectables you have in the condition they are currently in. Don't hasten natures inevitable win.

Staple rust is not really a significant or scary issue and I don't think I have seen anyone ever advocate for things that have it to be destroyed.  Does it detract substantially from the value of an individual item? Perhaps. Maybe even likely. But it's just that one item.

Mold and mildew on the other hand are a whole different ball of yarn. The reason being is that mold and mildew will pass on and destroy other items in your collection.  They are not things to be taken lightly.  One book with them can infect and destroy your entire collection.  They should not be taken lightly in the slightest.  So while burning them could be seen as overly harsh, introducing them into a collection of other books is inviting disaster and they should be treated accordingly.

And that's the attitude that allows epidemics to start.

We quarantine people with infectious (and sometimes lethal) consequences for a reason. The particulars are different in this case, but the theory is the same.

There are reasons museums go bonkers over this despite the precautions they take.

EDIT: Oh, and I should add the possible health effects that can happen to people due to exposure.

I genuinely appreciate the group of folks here, the help, the community, information etc, so I am afraid I am going to regret my replies. Please, don't beat me up for this.

Possible health effects are from spores can be very real, especially if someone has an allergy. Spore generation doesn't happen outside of the proper environment; above 75 degrees and 60% humidity. Mold generation stops if both conditions aren't available.

Edit:

Properly stored, an items condition wont get worse or pose a health hazard. I understand we differ here, but I am sure we agree, improperly stored, even mint items will mold and no one should neglect an orange B3 because two pages have foxing. I am just encouraging folks to do their best to preserve the items they have.