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+--- Thread: See Why Receipt Papers are Bad for your Health (/thread-31443.html)
See Why Receipt Papers are Bad for your Health - Vera - 01-23-2026
What is thermal receipt paper? Thermal receipt paper is the paper used to print receipts in shops, supermarkets, ATMs, and fuel stations.
This paper does not use ink. Instead, it has special chemicals on it. When heat from the machine touches the paper, words appear.
What chemicals are in receipt paper? Many thermal papers contain chemicals called BPA or BPS. BPA (Bisphenol A) and BPS (Bisphenol S) help the paper change color when heated.
Some receipts say “BPA-free”, but they often contain BPS instead.
Why are these chemicals a problem? BPA and BPS can affect the body’s hormones.
Hormones are natural messengers in the body. They control growth, energy, reproduction, and many body activities.
When chemicals disturb hormones, they are called endocrine disruptors.
Endocrine disruptor means something that confuses the body’s hormone system.
This confusion can slowly cause health problems.
How do these chemicals enter the body? The chemicals can enter the body mainly through the skin.
This happens when:
You hold receipts with bare hands.
Your hands are sweaty or oily.
You use hand sanitizer before or after touching receipts.
The chemicals can also move from your hands to food or your mouth.
Possible health effects Scientists are still studying this, but repeated contact may be linked to:
Hormone problems.
Fertility problems (difficulty having children).
Problems with growth in babies.
Body weight and sugar problems.
This does not mean one receipt will make you sick. The risk increases with frequent contact over many years.
Who is more at risk? Some people touch receipts more often than others:
Cashiers and shop workers.
Market sellers.
Pregnant women.
Children.
These groups should be more careful.
Are BPA-free receipts safe? Not always.
Many BPA-free receipts use BPS, which may affect hormones in a similar way. So BPA-free does not always mean safe.
How to reduce your risk You can protect yourself with simple steps:
Do not collect receipts unless you need them.
Keep receipts away from food.
Wash your hands after handling many receipts.
Avoid using hand sanitizer immediately before or after touching receipts.
Shops can use digital receipts or phenol-free paper.
Final message
Thermal receipt paper is useful, but it contains chemicals that may affect health over time.
Touching receipts once in a while is not dangerous. The main concern is regular and long-term contact.
Being careful and reducing contact is a smart and simple way to stay safe.