Cash registers have joined the list of potential and important source of environmental pollution as 40 percent of thermal paper receipts tested contained high doses of bisphenol A or BPA, a new study has found. Bispehnol A, which is a biologically active estrogen mimic, is known to cause problems with brain, behavioral or reproductive system in young children, according to a report from U.S. National Toxicology Program. When sweaty fingers and hand come in contact with the thermal paper receipts, few percentages of BPA can be wiped off, posing risks to children, according to the study from Environmental Working Group.
The problem is worse because it cannot be confirmed by visual checking whether the thermal paper receipts contain the BPA or not. Speaking on the hazards of exposure to bisphenol A, NTP said, "The NTP has some concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A." Increased risk of breast cancer and early puberty in girls have also been found linked to exposure to BPA. Infant formula and polycarbonate plastic-based food and beverage containers such water bottles are the most widely known sources of BPA pollution.
According to the study, 36 receipts from a variety of stores, banks, restaurants or cafeteria including Safeway, Whole Foods, Walmart, Chevron, McDonald's, Bank of America and the U.S. Postal Service were tested. The results showed that bisphenol A was present in all but seven thermal paper receipts. Among them, 16 receipts had 1.9 percent BPA by weight of the receipt. The study showed that Safeway’s receipts contained the highest amount of BPA, 2.8 percent by weight of the receipt.
