BPA in Receipts
October 9, 2009
Will it ever end? BPA in being found in everything and Science News is now reporting it’s found in receipts, too! WHA??
According to Science News, John C. Warner, of the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, learned about the chemistry behind some carbonless copy papers (now used for most credit card receipts) and the thermal imaging papers that are spit out by most modern cash registers. Both relied on bisphenol-A. Manufacturers would coat a powdery layer of this BPA onto one side of a piece of paper together with an invisible ink and once pressure or heat was applied, you would get color.
Mr. Warner tested receipts from as late as one month ago and continued to find BPA on them. The concern is that while parents have been freaking out about baby bottles leaching BPA – it’s only in nanogram quantities compared to the amount leaching from receipts – 60 to 100 milligrams. You touch the receipts, you touch your food, you ingest BPA. Another good reason to wash your hands before eating!
Like other products with BPA, it will probably phase out use over time but until then, just take the easy step of declining receipts when you don’t need them. Many stores and ATM machines will ask you if you want a receipt now but if they don’t, just tell them not to print one for you. Do you really need another piece of paper in your purse??
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