While in most cases you likely don’t need to worry about everyday exposure to receipts, you may be at higher risk if you regularly touch a large volume of them. For instance, cashiers may be exposed at unsafe levels.
“For most consumers, occasional handling of receipts is a small and avoidable source of exposure,” says Galbadage. “The greater concern is for cashiers, servers, and other workers who handle receipts throughout the day. Their repeated, cumulative contact can result in much higher exposure, especially if their hands are moist or if they use sanitizer frequently.”
Even those who touch receipts at normal levels can spread the chemicals if they touch their face, food, or phone.
“Holding receipts with moist or greasy fingers and using hand sanitizers or lotions prior also enhances skin absorption of BPA and BPS,” says Dr. Fitzgerald.
There are environmental concerns with these chemicals, too, given that bisphenols also pose health risks to wildlife. “Depending on factors including water flow, temperature, and the nature of the material that they adhere to, these harmful chemicals can quickly spread throughout an ecosystem and persist for days in an aquatic setting,” says Fitzgerald.
By taking steps to reduce your exposure, you can limit the amount of BPA and BPS you’re potentially absorbing. “While we can’t eliminate every exposure, being informed allows us to reduce unnecessary risks, especially those with invisible, long-term health effects,” says Galbadage.
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