BPA in thermal paper receipts harmful to health

Retail workers, who likely have more frequent exposure to cash receipts containing BPA than other Americans, have been found to have elevated levels of urinary BPA (Lunder et al. 2010). BPA has been shown to be capable of crossing the placenta (Balakrishnan et al. 2010) and to be toxic during early mammalian development (vom Saal and Hughes 2005). This toxicity is relevant to humans, given the similarities in BPA metabolism observed across species by Taylor et al.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical that has been widely studied in both controlled laboratory experiments and human populations [1, 2]. More than 100 epidemiology studies suggest associations between BPA exposures and an increased risk of adverse health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, ADHD, male sexual dysfunction and others [3]. Evaluations of biomonitoring studies have revealed extensive, ubiquitous exposures to this compound in human populations from around the world [4–8]. Furthermore, hundreds of laboratory animal studies suggest that low

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However, studies have shown that ... of BPA (Moreman et al., 2017). ... Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues have been proved to be harmful to human reproduction, endocrine and nervous system....

Bisphenols (BPs) are industrial chemicals extensively used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins for everyday products, including food and beverage containers, toys, and thermal paper, representing major sources of human exposure. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most prevalent; however, due to its endocrine-disrupting, reproductive, and genotoxic effects, it is classified as a substance of high concern by the European Chemicals Agency.

Add to Search . 2026 Sep 1:437:112232. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2026.112232.

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been widely used in various paper products, particularly as a color developer in thermal receipts. Growing concerns about its toxicity have prompted the introduction of other bisphenols as alternatives. This study investigated the occurrence and residue levels of BPA and ...

This indicates we are probably interacting with BPS from other sources in our environment. In other words, the severity of the health risk associated with paper receipts is still unknown.

Absorption of BPA into the body increases as much as ten-fold when thermal paper is handled with moist or greasy fingers (Biedermann et al. 2010). Also, using hand sanitizer or hand creams causes BPA to be much more rapidly absorbed through the skin (Hormann et al.