Holding cash register receipts may expose you to bisphenol A (BPA), reveals a new study.
BPA is a carbon-based synthetic chemical, which is commonly used to produce many plastic-based and aluminum consumer products like CDs, plastic bottles, sports equipment, thermal paper and more. Cash register receipts made of thermal paper are coated with BPA.
Frederick vom Saal, Curators Professor of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri, explains that BPA was developed as a synthetic estrogen supplement. As the chemical disturbs endocrine, it can change the signaling capability of estrogen as well as other hormones.
BPA exposure is believed to cause respiratory problems such as asthma in humans. Studies also highlight that BPA exposure can also lead to the development of various types of cancer including lung, prostate, breast and more.
A previous study found that people who handle cash register receipts on a regular basis were tested to have higher BPA levels in their urine and blood.
As per vom Saal, ATM receipts, airline tickets and other receipts made of thermal paper use a big amount of BPA on their surface, which exposes humans to the harmful chemical. Various cosmetics items such as soaps, hand creams, sanitizers and more increases the BPA absorption rate when thermal receipts are held in hands after the application of these products.
The study suggests millions of people use hand sanitizers before consuming food but they also handle the cash receipts of their purchases along with the food. The researchers found that handling thermal paper after applying hand sanitizer can increase the BPA absorption rate of the human skin by as high as 100 percent.
The study involved people handling cash receipts with their bare hands. Some people were asked to apply a hand sanitizer before handling the receipts and some handled them with dry hands. The researchers found that people who used hand sanitizer before handling the paper absorbed 10 times more BPA when compared to people who did not use hand sanitizer before handling the thermal paper receipts.
In a separate experiment, the participants consumed French fries with base hands after applying hand sanitizers and handling cash receipts. Blood samples of the participants revealed elevated BPA levels.
"Our research found that large amounts of BPA can be transferred to your hands and then to the food you hold and eat as well as be absorbed through your skin," says vom Saal.
Use of BPA from products such as baby bottles and infant sip cups has already been banned in many U.S. states. Connecticut has also banned the use of BPA from receipts. With increased BPA exposure risks, health advocates will hope that other states also ban BPA use from cash register receipts.
The study has been published in the journal PLOS One.
