Most people handle shopping bills, restaurant receipts, or ATM slips every day without giving them much thought. However, research shows that these everyday items may contain chemicals that can transfer to the skin on contact.
Thermal paper receipts are commonly used in stores and service counters because they allow quick printing without ink. Instead of ink, these receipts use a special heat-sensitive coating. When the paper passes through a thermal printer, heat reacts with this coating to produce text. This layer often contains chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) or Bisphenol S (BPS), which help make the printed text visible.
Research has shown that thermal paper can contain high concentrations of bisphenols. A study reported that BPA exists in a “free” form on receipt surfaces, meaning it is not chemically bound and can transfer easily upon contact.1
Because of restrictions on BPA in some regions, many manufacturers now use BPS instead. However, current evidence suggests that BPS may behave in a similar way in the body, especially in how it interacts with hormones.1
Skin contact is a key route of exposure. When individuals handle receipts, small amounts of bisphenols can transfer to the skin and may be absorbed. Evidence suggests that repeated or prolonged handling increases the likelihood of absorption, particularly among workers such as cashiers who come into contact with receipts frequently.1
Certain external factors, such as moisture or the presence of solvents, may influence absorption rates, although the extent of this effect varies across studies.
Contact with wet, oily, or recently sanitized skin can increase the movement of bisphenols across the skin barrier. This occurs because these chemicals are lipophilic and may penetrate more easily when the skin surface is altered.3
Bisphenols are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals because they can interfere with hormonal systems. Research has associated BPA and BPS exposure with potential effects on reproductive health, metabolism, and cellular signaling. However, most findings relate to cumulative exposure from multiple sources rather than receipt handling alone.2
A recent environmental health investigation reported that receipts from several retailers contained measurable levels of BPS capable of transferring through skin contact. The findings highlighted occupational exposure as a key area of concern.4
In April 2025, the nonprofit Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has issued violation notices to around 50 major retailers, stating that the levels of bisphenol S (BPS) in their receipts exceed the limits set under California’s Proposition 65. Companies that received these notices include Burger King, Chanel, Dollar General, AMC Theatres, GameStop, Subway, Foot Locker, and Ace Hardware, among others.
As reported by The Guardian, Mihir Vohra, science lead at the CEH said,
The findings were really eye-opening for us. They really speak to just how high the concentrations of BPS are in these receipts.
Mihir Vohra, Science Lead, Center for Environmental Health (CEH)
Research indicates that bisphenol S (BPS), commonly used as a replacement for BPA, may have similar harmful effects. Studies have linked it to hormone disruption, changes in cognitive function, reduced sperm count, and an increased risk of breast cancer, among other health concerns.4
Findings from the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) also suggest that even brief contact with receipts can result in measurable exposure.4
Exposure varies depending on frequency of contact. Individuals at higher risk include:
Retail workers and cashiers
Individuals handling receipts throughout the day
Workers in environments with continuous receipt printing
For the general population, occasional handling contributes minimally compared to other sources such as food packaging and plastic products.
Thermal receipts are also considered a major contributor to dermal exposure to bisphenols in occupational settings. Workers with repeated daily contact may experience higher cumulative exposure compared to individuals with occasional use.3
Regulatory agencies and researchers are studying bisphenols due to their widespread use and potential long-term effects. Some regions have introduced limits on BPA in thermal paper, but alternatives like BPS continue to be evaluated for safety. Scientists are also exploring phenol-free thermal paper as a possible alternative.
Public health recommendations focus on practical steps:
Choose digital receipts when available
Avoid prolonged handling of receipts
Wash hands after contact, especially before eating
Use protective measures in occupational settings when needed
If your work involves frequent handling of receipts, such as in retail settings, using gloves may help reduce direct contact.
“BPA-free” labels do not necessarily indicate the absence of chemical exposure. In many cases, BPA has been replaced with structurally similar compounds such as BPS, which may exhibit comparable biological activity. Ongoing research is evaluating whether these alternatives offer a meaningful safety advantage.2
Myth: Receipts are heavily coated with toxic chemicals
Fact: Bisphenols are present in a thin surface layer, not in excessive or visible amounts
Myth: Receipt handling is the main source of BPA exposure
Fact: Diet and food packaging remain the primary sources of exposure
Myth: Using hand sanitizer increases absorption dramatically
Fact: Some increase in absorption may occur, but extreme claims are not strongly supported
Myth: Handling receipts leads to dangerously high chemical levels
Fact: Occupational exposure may increase levels, but health impact from receipts alone remains under study
Myth: Only nitrile gloves prevent exposure
Fact: Both nitrile and latex gloves can reduce skin contact
1. Schwartz, A. W., and P. J. Landrigan. 2012. “Bisphenol A in Thermal Paper Receipts: An Opportunity for Evidence-Based Prevention.” Environmental Health Perspectives 120 (1): A14–A15. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104004.
2. Ndaw, Sophie, Aurélie Remy, Flavien Denis, Philippe Marsan, Danièle Jargot, and Alain Robert. 2018. “Occupational Exposure of Cashiers to Bisphenol S via Thermal Paper.” Toxicology Letters 298: 106–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.05.026.
3. Bernier, Meghan R., and Laura N. Vandenberg. 2017. “Handling of Thermal Paper: Implications for Dermal Exposure to Bisphenol A and Its Alternatives.” PLOS ONE, June 1. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178449.
4. Zhao, Chao, Ting Yong, Yinbin Zhang, Yu Xiao, Yaofeng Jin, Chang Zheng, Takashi Nirasawa, and Zongwei Cai. 2021. “Breast Cancer Proliferation and Deterioration-Associated Metabolic Heterogeneity Changes Induced by Exposure of Bisphenol S, a Widespread Replacement of Bisphenol A.” Journal of Hazardous Materials 414: 125391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125391.
