Do not touch the heat receipt to take care of your health. Credits: Sunshine Studio, Shutterstock
A mere 10-second contact with these toxic receipts can cause exposure to hormone-destructive chemicals.
US health monitors have launched legal action against 32 major retailers after discovering dangerously high levels of harmful chemicals in receipts. A press release from the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) says that touching one receipt for just 10 seconds can expose you to the safe limits of bisphenol S (BPS), a toxic chemical associated with hormone destruction, reproduction, and even cancer.
Major High Street Names Named in the Toxic Receipt Scandal
The lawsuit covers many familiar names, including:
- Burger King
- gap
- Claire’s
- Forever 21
- subway
- Cheesecake Factory
- Office Depot
- Staples
- GameStop
- Pete’s coffee etc.
CEH alleges that these companies violated California’s Proposition 65.
What are BPS and BPA and why are they dangerous?
Bisphenol S (BPS) is a chemical used in thermal paper, often as an alternative to BPA. BPA stands for bisphenol A. It has been used since the 1950s to produce certain plastics and resins, and is also harmful to human health. BPA can act like a hormone, disrupting the normal function of the endocrine system, which regulates growth, development, and other important processes. Some studies have suggested a link between BPA exposure and an increased risk of certain conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, and even certain cancers.
The European Union (EU) banned the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in thermal paper for receipts in January 2020. The ban was introduced to protect the health of cashiers during pregnancy and to reduce overall population exposure to BPA.
Although sold as a “safer alternative,” BPS has been shown to mimic estrogens, interfere with hormonal balance and affect metabolism, child development and fertility.
“Touching just one receipt for 10 seconds with BPS resulted in exposure above the safe harbor level,” said Mihir Vohra, science lead at CEH.
What is a thermal receipt? And how can I find it?
The heat receipt is printed using heat-sensitive paper. These are receipts that are primarily obtained from supermarkets, fast food chains, ATMs and card machines, not only in the US, Japan, Korea, but also in Europe. Typically, the thermal receipt can be conveyed with a glossy or smooth texture, black or gray text that fades over time.
Unlike standard paper receipts, thermal paper contains coated chemicals that react to heat during printing. BPS is one of those reactive chemicals.
Toxic heat receipts pose serious health risks for both workers and shoppers
Retail staff, who process hundreds of receipts a day, are especially at risk. CEH warns against using alcohol-based hand sanitizers before processing receipts. This increases chemical absorption by the skin.
“Receipts are made from thermal paper that should not be recycled because they contain bisphenols, as they can contaminate the recycled stream,” said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, senior director of toxicity exposure at CEH.
How to avoid toxic heat receipts
- If possible, say no to the printed receipt
- If available, please select a digital receipt
- Do not touch the receipt after using the hand sanitizer
- Retail staff should wear gloves when processing them
- Do not recycle heat receipts – bin them to prevent contamination
Swiss prohibition of BPA and BPS on thermal receipts
Switzerland banned both BPA and BPS on thermal paper in December 2020, but recent research shows a mix of compliance. According to a 2023 survey published Regulated Toxicology and PharmacologyBPA use in receipts dropped sharply from 82.2% to just 10.8% between 2013 and 2021. However, BPS usage increased from 3.1% to 19.1% over the same period despite the ban. Researchers noted that Pergafast® 201 (PF201) has become the most common alternative chemical in Switzerland receipts, accounting for 60.3% of thermal papers tested. Encouraged, PF201 is not known to penetrate the skin and has not been shown to have any endocrine lesion-breaking effects so far, but researchers have emphasized that more data is needed.
European chemical crisis
The ban on BPA and other bisphenols in food contact materials throughout the EU came into effect in January 2025.
However, a recent report has discovered a record number of banned chemicals in EU goods, from clothing and toys to electronics. Despite regulations, hazardous materials continue to appear on the shelves – often through imports and poor surveillance.
View all health and beauty articles.
