Introduction
Every time you buy something, you’re handed a receipt. Seems harmless, right? Think again! That little slip of paper could be exposing you to toxic chemicals that mess with your hormones, metabolism, and overall health. The culprits? Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS). These chemicals are often found in thermal paper receipts and can be absorbed through your skin in just seconds.
What Makes Receipts Toxic?
Most receipts are printed on thermal paper, which reacts to heat instead of using ink. To make this magic happen, the paper is coated with BPA or BPS—chemicals that help create the text when exposed to heat. But here’s the problem: BPA and BPS mimic estrogen, throwing your hormones out of whack. Worse yet, they don’t just sit on the paper; they rub off onto your skin, especially if your hands are wet, greasy, or covered in lotion or hand sanitizer.
Health Risks of BPA & BPS Exposure
BPA and BPS have been linked to some serious health problems:
Hormone Disruption – These chemicals act like estrogen and interfere with the body’s natural hormone balance.
Fertility Issues – Studies suggest BPA can affect sperm quality and reproductive health in both men and women.
Increased Cancer Risk – Research has linked BPA exposure to breast and prostate cancer.
Weight Gain & Diabetes – BPA has been shown to interfere with metabolism, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Developmental Issues – Pregnant women and young children are especially vulnerable to BPA’s effects on brain and organ development.
Even though BPA is getting a bad reputation, companies are replacing it with BPS, which is just as bad—maybe even worse because it lingers longer in the body.
How Much Exposure is Too Much?
If you work in retail or handle receipts often, your exposure is much higher than the average person. Studies show that cashiers have significantly higher levels of BPA in their bodies. But even if you’re just touching receipts occasionally, exposure adds up over time, especially since BPA and BPS are also found in food packaging, plastic bottles, and household items.
How to Protect Yourself
Luckily, you don’t have to swear off shopping forever. Here are some simple ways to reduce your exposure:
Say No to Receipts – Opt for digital receipts whenever possible.
Wash Your Hands After Handling – Avoid touching your face or eating after handling receipts.
Don’t Use Hand Sanitizer on Your Hands Before or After – It increases chemical absorption!
Store Receipts Separately – If you must keep them, put them in an envelope, not your wallet.
Use Gloves If You Handle Them Frequently – If you’re a cashier, gloves can minimize contact.
Spread the Word – The more people know about this, the more businesses might switch to safer alternatives.
Conclusion
Receipts might seem harmless, but they’re sneaky little toxin carriers. The good news? By making small changes in how we handle them, we can reduce our exposure and keep our bodies healthier. Next time a cashier asks, “Do you need a receipt?”, you might want to say, “No, thanks!”
Want to learn more about dangerous chemicals? Click here!
Sources:
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Liao & Kannan, 2011 – “Widespread Occurrence of Bisphenol A in Paper and Paper Products: Implications for Human Exposure” (Link)
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Rochester, 2013 – “Bisphenol A and Human Health: A Review of the Literature” (Link)
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Peretz et al., 2014 – “Bisphenol A and Reproductive Health: Update of Experimental and Human Evidence” (Link)
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Seachrist et al., 2016 – “A Review of the Carcinogenic Potential of Bisphenol A” (Link)
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Alonso-Magdalena et al., 2011 – “Bisphenol A and the Metabolic Syndrome” (Link)
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Rubin, 2011 – “Bisphenol A: An Endocrine Disruptor With Widespread Exposure and Multiple Effects” (Link)
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Rochester & Bolden, 2015 – “Bisphenol S and F: A Systematic Review and Comparison to Bisphenol A” (Link)
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Hormann et al., 2014 – “Holding Thermal Paper Receipts Increases BPA Exposure” (Link)