That small piece of paper you casually stuff into your wallet after shopping might be carrying more than just your bill details. Emerging research indicates that handling shopping receipts could pose a significant threat to your reproductive health, with retail workers facing the highest risk.
The Hidden Danger in Your Palm
While receipts serve a practical purpose for returns and exchanges, they contain a chemical called Bisphenol S (BPS). This compound has replaced the more widely known BPA in thermal paper used for most receipts across the United States and other countries.
A concerning 2021 study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials uncovered alarming facts. Researchers found that some receipts circulating in California contained such high BPS levels that merely touching one for 10 seconds allowed sufficient chemical absorption through the skin.
Official Recognition of the Threat
The scientific community has taken formal notice of these dangers. During a 2023 Meeting of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee for the State of California, BPS was officially added to the list of reproductive toxicants.
The regulatory response followed swiftly. In April 2025, the Centre for Environmental Health (CEH) sent violation notices to approximately 50 major retailers for exceeding California's Proposition 65 limits for BPS. The list of companies receiving these notices reads like a who's who of consumer retail, including Burger King, Chanel, Dollar General, AMC Theatres, GameStop, Subway, Foot Locker, and Ace Hardware.
Why BPS Poses Serious Health Risks
The Journal of Hazardous Materials study clearly links BPS exposure to multiple health concerns, including hormone disruption, cognitive damage, decreased sperm count, and breast cancer. Bisphenols represent a class of chemicals commonly found in various consumer products ranging from food packaging and fabrics to toys and cookware.
Europe has already banned BPA for food uses after declaring it toxic, prompting many companies to advertise their packaging as BPA-free. Unfortunately, the replacement chemical BPS, used as a coating on thermal paper to develop ink, appears equally problematic.
Dr. Sabine Donnai, founder of US health clinic Viavi, emphasized the severity during her conversation with the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast. "[Receipts are] a big source, actually, of BPA exposure, and they've definitely seen in people that actually handle receipts very often, they've got very low levels of testosterone levels, they have infertility," she revealed.
The people most vulnerable to these effects are retail workers who handle receipts repeatedly throughout their workdays. For both employees and customers, opting for digital receipts presents a safer alternative. Dr. Donnai also recommended that frequent handlers use specific protective gear like nitrile (latex-free rubber) gloves.
Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
