Did you know that thermal paper used in point-of-sale receipts (e.g., for credit card purchases), shipping or other container labels, automated-teller machine receipts, parking tickets, and luggage tags, among others contain BPA?
Most people are trying hard to limit their exposure to BPA and what do you know- every time you purchase something, you are exposed to the endocrine-disrupting chemical. Now that is annoying!
Major retailers use these receipts in at least some of their outlets. A report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found a high level of BPA in approximately 40 percent of receipts from a sample it obtained from some major U.S. businesses.
Unlike BPA in plastic bottles and other products, the BPA on thermal paper isn’t chemically bound in any way—it is a powdery film on the surface of receipts etc. This chemical crap is so easily transferable. Therefore, every time you handle this type of paper, you are exposed. You can tell if the receipt is printed on thermal paper if it makes a mark when you scratch the surface.
Presently, researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences are recruiting cashiers willing to have blood and urine samples taken to be tested for bisphenol A, or BPA because of the amount of slick receipt paper many of them handle on a daily basis.
Tips to reduce your exposure to the BPA on thermal paper:
- Wash your hands after contact with thermal paper.
- Avoid putting the receipts etc in your wallet, purse and especially your food bags, since it may contaminate your food and everything it touches.
- Have a small specific bag for receipts and when you get home dispose of them properly (more on that next week).
- If you don’t need the receipt, leave it or ask the cashier not to print one.
- Certainly, never let your children handle store receipts.
- Wear gloves if you handle thermal paper regularly.
Considering the concern about the use of such thermal receipt paper, there is a need for alternatives.
I personally say, just skip the receipt all together and avoid bringing more chemicals into your home as much as possible.
What will you do?
Sources: Environmental Working Group, New Observer and E-How
BPA, paper, receipts, recycling
I am the Good Girl Gone Green. Seeing garbage cans overflowing with recyclables breaks my heart.
good one steph! best to buy online eh? lol
Thanks, Jenn!
I had never even thought about that, it makes sense though! I wash my hands obsessively as it is
Thanks for the heads-up!
LOL! I tend to wash my hands all the time ever since I had my daughter 10 months ago~
Ew gross! You know receipts always freaked me out in some weird way. They seem to be so chemically enhanced.
I’m thankful for the tips on this!
I know…gross!
Wow! Guess I won’t be throwing those receipts in my purse anymore – scary stuff!
Me either!
great tip! New follower from the Lots of Lovin’ hop.
Sandy
Cherished Handmade Treasures
Thanks!
Seems like there’s really no way to completely avoid BPA!
Thanks for the follow, I’m following you back!
The only way is to live in a bubble I guess, but it is probably made of plastic which is full of chemicals, so really you wouldn’t avoid any chemicals….lol! You would have to live in a wooden box …:)
I had no idea!
Most people dont.This was news to me a few weeks ago!
I like now that places will email you a receipt! How’s that for saving paper and chemicals???
I love that. Apple does it!
WOW!! That is interesting! Thanks for the information!!!
You’re welcome!
Wow…never knew that! thanks for the useful info:-)
Most people don’t. It is so scary!
I had no idea! I’ll start limiting my contact.
Btw, I stumbled this! My post: Dragonfly Necklaces
I just dont take a receipt anymore. I am more worried about the cashier….yikes!
I had no idea! Isn’t it just amazing the amount of chemicals and toxins we are surrounded by?
Post stumbled from Stop & Stumble Saturday! Looking forward to reading more of your blog.
Christina
Here’s mine to stumble back: 20 Rules of Life
Thanks! we are surrounded by toxins, and it is so scary!
I was just thinking about receipts today after receiving a super long one from Rite Aid! I never even know that there was BPA on them! Thank you for the tips. As much as possible, I’m going to ask for one not to be printed…at least for little stuff.
Good idea! EIther refuse the receipt or see if they wont print it. I have a sneaky suspicion they have to print the receipts but I could be wrong.
Oh my goodness, I had no idea about this. There are some receipts I need to keep but for the most part I’ll start throwing them away. I just stumbled this for you. Found you on the Stop and Stumble blog hop. I’d love to have you stumble this post for me: http://www.themamazone.com/2011/08/go-back-to-school-pvc-free.html
Yup, just throw them away!
I learn something new every day!
stumbled your post via the hop. Mine is at http://daybydayinourworld.com/2011/08/hearty-meatloaf-a-taste-from-home/
Good, glad I could help!
Unfortunately I need a receipt to balance my quicken on the computer, but now I’m worried. I had no idea! Oh….what will we potentially die from next! I really don’t relish receipt-induced cancer….
Wear glove when handling them, if you touch them often or just make sure to wash your hands very often.
Just stumbled from the stumble upon hop. I just learned about this…so scary!
Very scary!
Thanks for the info – it’s a wonder why those receipts smell sooooo BAD!!!! I will share this with everyone I know… Thank you and have a great week!!
New follower her
)
Nancy
They smell so gross! Thanks!!
I wrote about this a while ago. I also was surprised at this but was really more worried about the poor cashiers than myself. BPA is an insidious chemical though and has no business being in our receipts for sure. I really jumped all over this chemical a few years ago to help point out the dangers of having it lining our water bottles. I had a big disagreement back and forth in some posts with Sigg. I had used their bottles for years and was shocked to find out their supposedly safe lining contained BPA. They have since fixed the issue and for a while were even offering free exchanges of people with the old BPA containing bottles.
So posts like this can get things changed. Keep on writing!
Thanks Will! I think it is gross that there is BPA on our receipts. What about just plain paper or better yet electronic receipts! The bottom libe is money. It is probably cheaper to produce receipts on that kind of paper instead of just plain paper!
So simply, why don’t they offer receipts on regular paper? Or scna to a smart phone (electronic receipt)! Thanks for the info!
Gross, eh? No idea why it just cant be on paper. Money would be my guess. Everything always comes down to price. Police tickets are also made on this toxic paper! Yuck! Apple email you your recipe. I wish more companies did that.