BPA in Receipts?

Over the past few years there has been a lot of talk about the toxicity of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) and avoiding plastics that may contain it. This issue particularly hit home with moms as some manufacturers were using BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups, etc. Canada even banned the use of BPA in baby products (good for you Canada!). Many of us moms and dads know to buy plastics that are BPA-free. Unfortunately, BPA is still used to line aluminum cans, so I avoid canned goods as much as possible as well. But you will never guess where BPA has turned up now.

Receipts. Yes every time you go to the grocery store, gas station, ATM or any store for that matter you are more than likely leaving with a BPA soaked receipt in your hand. Here is the CBS News story: BPA Receipts Bombshell: Paper Slips Contain High Levels of Bisphenol A. 

Extraordinarily high levels of BPA were found on two-fifths of the paper receipts tested recently by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C.


In some cases, the amount of BPA on a given receipt was 1,000 times the levels found in a can of food.


Receipts were collected from ATM's, grocery stores, fast food restaurants, gas stations and the like. "Wipe tests" showed that the coating of BPA of paper receipts would likely stick to the skin of anyone who handled them.


The chemical can be absorbed into the skin and transferred to the digestive tract by touching the mouth.


Animal tests have linked BPA exposure to a range of health problems, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, and early puberty. The studies are controversial though, and how they related to human health is not fully clear, according to WebMD.


The organization offered tips for consumers eager to limit their exposure to BPA on receipts, including washing your hands after handling receipts and never giving a child a receipt to play with.  But maybe the best tip is simply to decline the offer for a printed receipt after an ATM transaction. After all, in this economy, who needs to be reminded of their balance?

If this doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what will. I was under the impression that the level of BPA in say a can of tomatoes was pretty darn high and this study shows that the levels in receipts are 1,000 times that found in cans?!? Um, WHAT?! And what this article does not touch on is that most recycled paper products you buy are contaminated with BPA from these receipts being recycled in the batches. So really, w can't win. You go to the store and leave with your receipt, which you need in case you might need to return it. But its covered with cancer causing BPA. Should we wear gloves at all times now? And you try to do good things for the earth like buying recycled paper products but OOPS, those are now contaminated with BPA .

All I can say is this: WTF? What are we supposed to do? How can we keep our families safe?

Read EWG's Full Report.

Green Glossary: Bisphenol-A (BPA)

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin. BPA has been used for nearly 50 years and has been suspected of being hazardous since the 1930s. According to numerous studies from the Environmental Working Group “trace BPA exposure been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and trigger a wide variety of disorders, including chromosomal and reproductive system abnormalities, impaired brain and neurological functions, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, adult-onset diabetes, early puberty, obesity and resistance to chemotherapy.” Put a little more simply, risks include prostate and breast cancer, higher rates of miscarriage, immune system dysfunction, testicular abnormalities in boys and puberty in girls younger than eight years old. Plastics labeled with the number 7 and a “PC” are made of polycarbonate and contain BPA.

The ABC's of BPA, Your Questions Answered

I think it is safe to say that most, if not all, of us have heard various things about BPA. Over the past year or so, it has been all over the media, especially the Internet. But what do you really know about BPA? Sure, you know it is bad and you should avoid plastics with it, but do you know why it is bad? What exactly is BPA anyway? Is it only in plastic bottles and containers? Where else can it be found? There are so many questions! To get all the answers and read my full article, hop on over to The Ohana Mama!