Is there a risk of bisphenol A in thermal paper receipts? Experts remind people to avoid unnecessary receipts

Every time I go to the supermarket to buy something, I often hear the phrase 'Do you need a receipt?' However, there is a warning that has been circulating for over 15 years that using paper receipts may allow toxic chemicals inside to get on my fingers and even be absorbed by the body. Experts remind that it is important to pay attention to people who have long-term and extensive exposure, as well as those who may be sensitive to endocrine disruptors.

The Daily Mail reported that the non-profit organization "Environmental Health Center", which focuses on toxic chemicals in consumer goods, published a study in 2025 stating that as long as you hold a paper receipt for 10 seconds, you may be exposed to toxic chemicals that exceed safety standards.

However, toxicology experts say that to determine whether a chemical substance will harm the body, it is not just about whether there is contact, but also about how much actual contact has been made.

The report states that receipts are made of a special type of paper called thermal paper. This type of paper usually contains bisphenol chemicals, the most common of which are bisphenol A (BPA) or bisphenol S (BPS). They are mainly used for color rendering, which means displaying text or numbers.

Toxicologists classify bisphenols as endocrine disruptors, which may interfere with the human endocrine system, also known as the hormonal system. The endocrine system includes organs such as the thyroid gland, pancreas, and pituitary gland at the bottom of the brain. They transmit information to the whole body through hormones, regulating important functions such as growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

At present, research on the toxicity of bisphenol A mainly focuses on bisphenol A. Studies have shown that bisphenol A may interfere with various hormonal information, with the most significant impact on estrogen. Exposure to bisphenol A is associated with premature birth and abnormal fetal brain development. Exposure to higher doses of bisphenol A may also increase the risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, etc. In addition, research has found that bisphenol A may cause oxidative stress, which is chemical damage to the molecules that make up cells. Exposure to bisphenol A may also alter the way genes are turned on or off, some of which may be passed on to the next generation.

In 2023, researchers estimated the daily dose of bisphenol A exposure for the general population from heat sensitive paper receipts and found that the exposure level for the general population is approximately 5000 to 50 million times lower than the standards set by the European Food Safety Authority. Converted, it's even less than a drop in 8 ounces (about 237 milliliters) of water.

However, this estimate is for the general public. Researchers estimate that people who handle a large number of receipts every day in retail, catering, and other jobs may have about 100 times more exposure than the general population. Research also shows that bisphenols can enter the human body through the skin. For example, when taking a thermal paper receipt, chemicals may transfer from the paper to the skin.

If the general public has concerns, they can take some simple preventive measures. When merchants choose, they use email receipts instead. When you need a paper receipt, you can simply put it in your shopping bag or pocket instead of holding it in your hand for a long time. What really needs to be paid attention to are people who have long-term and extensive exposure, as well as those who may be sensitive to endocrine disruptors.