They’re handed out at shops, petrol stations, and cafés every day… but health experts say you should think twice before touching a paper receipt.
According to Dr Leonardo Trasande, professor of paediatrics and environmental health expert in the US, thermal paper receipts often contain harmful chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. “We don’t usually consider receipts to be plastic,” he explains, “but their glossy coating is actually a polymer.”
Receipts are typically made from thermal paper, which protects the heat-sensitive ink. The paper often contains bisphenols, a group of chemicals used in plastic manufacturing.
The most well-known is BPA, linked to heart disease, fertility issues, breast and prostate cancer, asthma, and developmental problems in children. Although BPA has been phased out in US receipts, it’s been replaced by BPS- another bisphenol with similarly harmful effects.
California now classifies BPS as a reproductive toxin, and the chemical has been linked to breast cancer. Just 10 seconds of contact with a thermal receipt can expose someone to BPS levels exceeding the recommended safety threshold.
These polymer-coated receipts also contribute to microplastic exposure, with long-term health effects still being studied. Experts recommend minimising direct contact and opting for digital receipts where possible.
Also read: Ultra-processed food increases risk of early death study finds
