A startling new study has revealed that simply holding a paper receipt for 10 seconds can expose you to dangerous levels of bisphenol S (BPS)—a chemical so toxic that it exceeds California’s safety limits under Proposition 65.
Used by major U.S. retailers, BPS is a chemical coating added to thermal paper to make ink appear on receipts. But here’s the problem: BPS is just as harmful as the banned bisphenol A (BPA). It’s been linked to hormone disruption, breast cancer, infertility, cognitive damage, and even reduced sperm count.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has issued legal notices to over 50 companies, including Burger King, Subway, GameStop, AMC Theaters, Dollar General, and Chanel, warning that their receipts violate state safety standards.
Even more concerning? Cashiers and retail workers—who handle dozens, even hundreds, of receipts a day—are at especially high risk. But it’s not just them. Anyone who holds a receipt for just a few seconds while reviewing a bill or waiting for change may be unknowingly absorbing harmful chemicals through their skin.
The CEH is demanding safer alternatives. While some retailers have switched to vitamin C-coated paper, it’s rare, and most are still “playing Whac-a-Mole” with chemical substitutes that may be just as dangerous.
You can protect yourself by declining printed receipts and opting for digital copies. And if you must handle one, don’t hold it for long—and wash your hands immediately afterward.
This is a serious public health issue hiding in plain sight. Don’t wait for a lawsuit to make your local store take action—your health is worth more than a slip of paper.
