BPA and BPS in thermal receipt paper
If you are an employee that handles receipts (like a waiter, cashier or librarian) or you run a business that gives out receipts, you are likely using thermal paper and it almost assuredly is coated with either BPA or its chemical cousin, Bisphenol S (BPS). All of the 18 thermal papers we tested were coated with either BPA or BPS. We now know that thermal receipt paper, used widely every day, is another way that Bisphenol A (BPA) gets into us. Studies have shown cashiers have higher levels of BPA in their body fluids than other occupations. Regular receipt handling may be of particular concern to pregnant women or women of childbearing age and adolescents of both sexes who handle receipts regularly. BPA is known to be hazardous to human, fish and other animal reproductive systems and has been linked with obesity and attention disorders. The other commonly used chemical for thermal receipts, BPS, has been shown to have some similar effects.