High levels of toxic chemicals found in paper receipts used by US retailers
10 months ago
- #health
- #BPS
- #receipts
- Paper receipts from major US retailers contain high levels of bisphenol S (BPS), which can be absorbed through the skin in just 10 seconds, exceeding California’s safety limits.
- BPS is linked to serious health issues, including cancer, hormone disruption, cognitive damage, and reproductive problems.
- The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has sent violation notices to about 50 major retailers, including Burger King, Chanel, and Subway, for allegedly illegal BPS levels in their receipts.
- BPS is used as a coating on thermal paper to help ink develop, but safer alternatives like vitamin C-treated paper exist, though they may not be as bright.
- Cashiers and retail workers are at higher risk due to frequent handling of receipts, as are restaurant patrons who hold receipts for extended periods.
- Companies have 60 days to respond to the notices by either switching to BPS-free paper or providing warnings to consumers.
- Consumers can protect themselves by opting out of paper receipts or requesting digital receipts via email.