Are Paper Receipts Hazardous to Your health?

ARE PAPER RECEIPTS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH? In November, the New York Times reported a frightening discovery: the presence of a dangerous chemical known as "BPA" in a large number of paper store receipts. So what is BPA exactly, and how much of it are consumers exposed to through their routine shopping? Leť's find out. What is BPA? BISPHENOL-A CH3 ОН ОН CH3 BPA stands for bisphenol-A, a chemical compound used in plastics. In animal testing, BPA has been found to affect: Neurological functioning Weight control Behavioral abnormality Brain Fertility Development *Not everyone agrees on how much harm BPA causes humans, but some states are considering banning it in food containers for these reasons. How Many Receipts Contain BPA? The Environmental Working Group performed a study to determine how serious and widespread the problem was: 36 receipts were collected from retailers in 7 states and Washington, DC. 10 were from government agencies. were from national retail and service chains. was from a local supermarket in Colorado. Substantial amounts of BPA were found on 16 of 36 receipts at an average amount of 1.9 percent by weight. The findings In some cases, BPA accounted for 3 percent of a receipt's total weight! A recent study in Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry found BPA from receipts can penetrate skin so deeply that it cannot be washed off! Worst of all How to Avoid BPA Reciept Contamination Нand Sanitizer 1. Decline receipts at gas pumps, ATM machines, and stores. 2. Store receipts separately in an envelope or purse. 3. Avoid alcohol-based cleaners (which can increase BPA absorption). 4. Use e-receipts from stores that offer them. 5. Never give children receipts to play with. Software like O Lemon also lets you safely dispose of receipts after scanning them from your smartphone. While the exact harm from absorbing BPA via receipts is unknown, it certainly offers another reason to go digital! SOURCES: TRANSFER OF BISPHENOL A FROM THERMAL PRINTER PAPER TO THE SKIN BY SPRINGERLINK | SYNTHETIC ESTROGEN BPA COATS CASH REGISTER RECEIPTS BY ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP | CHECK YOUR RECEIPT, IT MAY BE TAINTED BY NEW YORK TIMES L Lemon