Hi!! This is so incredibly informative but I work in regulation (chemical regulation and product safety) and I can confirm you don’t need to be scared of receipts! I’m not entirely sure about what the FDA says but UK and EU regulations stop these harmful ingredients from hitting the market :) FDA, UK and EU are generally harmonised so I am **assuming** that they are safe in the US.
Many thermal paper receipts in the U.S. contain bisphenols (BPA or BPS), which are used as the heat-activated “ink” developer. These chemicals are not bound to the paper, so they can sadly transfer to your skin when you touch them!
Because of health concerns about BPA, many manufacturers switched to BPS, but it is chemically similar and may have comparable hormone-related effects, with widespread detection in receipt paper.
Hi!! This is so incredibly informative but I work in regulation (chemical regulation and product safety) and I can confirm you don’t need to be scared of receipts! I’m not entirely sure about what the FDA says but UK and EU regulations stop these harmful ingredients from hitting the market :) FDA, UK and EU are generally harmonised so I am **assuming** that they are safe in the US.
Many thermal paper receipts in the U.S. contain bisphenols (BPA or BPS), which are used as the heat-activated “ink” developer. These chemicals are not bound to the paper, so they can sadly transfer to your skin when you touch them!
Research has shown that:
- Thermal receipt paper can contain milligram amounts of free BPA on the surface, allowing it to move onto skin after handling. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/abs/10.1289/isee.2011.00938
- Studies found BPA can be transferred to hands and absorbed through the skin, and exposure increases the longer the receipt is held. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/abs/10.1289/isee.2011.00938
- BPA (and its replacement BPS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can mimic hormones such as estrogen. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141022143628.htm
- Handling receipts after using hand sanitizer or lotions can significantly increase absorption through the skin. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141022143628.htm
Because of health concerns about BPA, many manufacturers switched to BPS, but it is chemically similar and may have comparable hormone-related effects, with widespread detection in receipt paper.
I won't be touching receipts :)
Wow I had no idea this was still okay in the USA… Thank you for informing me, I won’t be either 🤦♀️ I cannot believe this is still accepted!
It's quite sad.
what do you mean?
RO is great! Check this article out for recommendations https://meghanswidler.substack.com/p/the-detox-weekly-the-hidden-dangers
:)