It may be a good idea to decline the receipt next time you purchase something as there has been a rather alarming study conducted with findings showing that 90% of receipts from store contain toxic chemicals that promote diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, and autism.
Bisphenol S the healthier alternative to Bisphenol A are used in approximately 93% of store receipts that are given to customers, only 2% of receipts do not have a chemical coating. Bisphenol S was created to replaces Bisphenol A following concerns that the plastic compound may have negative health effects. That being said scientists now believe that Bisphenol S is yet another hormone disruptor.
Bisphenol S and A are used in numerous products such as metal and plastic food containers, toys, cosmetics, flame retardants, and detergents. Bisphenol S is used in baby bottles and personal care products while Bisphenol A is used in hard reusable food containers and bottles. Health related issues and concerns brought about BPS replacing BPA. There is proof that the chemical can disrupt the development of babies in the womb.
Both Bisphenol S and A are commonly used on receipts so that the writing is darker making it easier to read without using ink. Findings of this study have shown that individuals who often handle receipts are vulnerable to the chemicals’ effects. Bisphenol A reacts with estrogen and thyroid hormone receptors and is associated with autism, infertility, obesity, ADHD, premature births, type 2 diabetes, and early onset of puberty.
Earlier studies conducted showed that workers handling receipts have significantly higher levels of BPA and BPS in their system as compared to the average person. Bisphenol S can be found within the urine of 81% of people who live in the USA with 90% of that being able to be traced to receipts. Even brief physical contact with receipts leads to the absorption of BPS or BPA into the body, and the levels can increase by 10% of the individual has oily or moist finger or if they had just used hand lotion or sanitizer before touching the receipt.
Pergafast 201 is a chemical that is allegedly less toxic than Bisphenol S and A and it what is used at Best Buy. Culver’s restaurants claim their receipt do not have a chemical coating. Trader Joe’s has announced that it has plans to start using chemical free receipts as soon as possible.
Some of the nationwide homeware and grocery stores included in this study were Kroger, TJX and Meijer. Receipts in this study also came from theatres, small independent businesses, stations, and libraries. Researchers from The Ecology Center studied 207 paper receipts collected from from different businesses over a period of 4 months in 2017 to test the Bisphenol levels.
To minimize exposure to Bisphenol ask for electronic receipts, fold the printed side in as the backs are typically not coated, keep receipts in an envelope to avoid contact with other objects, always wash your hands after touching a receipt, wear gloves if you must handle them, only use glass, metal, or ceramic containers, don’t use plastics in the microwave or dishwasher, and never leave plastic water bottles in hot cars.
