Are you collecting receipts from fast-food outlets or groceries? If yes then next time be careful, because a new study claims the receipts contain high levels of the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol A. Environmental Working Group’s study showed plastic component BPA on 40 per cent of receipts from McDonald’s, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, Safeway and other businesses.
Animal tests have already shown that BPA can induce abnormal reproductive system development, diminishes intellectual capacity and cause behavioural abnormalities. It can cause serious conditions, such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, resistance to chemotherapy, asthma and cardiovascular system disorders. “Consumers are being exposed to BPA at the point of sale once they’re handed a receipt” said Dr. Anila Jacob. BPA from register receipts can “enter the skin to such a depth that it can no longer be washed off.”
“A typical employee at any large retailer who runs the register could handle hundreds of the contaminated receipts in a single day at work,” said Jane Houlihan, the group’s senior vice president for research. Receipts from Target, Starbucks, Bank of America ATMs and the U.S. Senate cafeteria were BPA-free, says the study.
The study recommends these tips for reducing BPA exposure:
- Minimize receipt collection when possible, and store them separetely
- Never give a child a receipt to hold or play with
- After handling a receipt, wash hands before preparing and eating food
- Do not recycle receipts and other thermal paper
- If you are unsure, check whether paper is thermally treated by rubbing it with a coin (Thermal paper discolors with the friction; conventional paper does not.)