“Touching paper receipts can have harmful health effects due to chemical exposure.”

In this pilot study, we observed an increase in urinary BPA concentrations after continuously handling receipts for 2 hours without gloves, but no significant increase when using gloves. Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including reproductive function in adults and neurodevelopment in children exposed perinatally. The peak level (5.8 µg/L) was lower than that observed after canned soup consumption (20.8µg/L), but may be particularly relevant to occupationally exposed populations such as cashiers.

A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives adds to the evidence that people who handle thermal receipts absorb these compounds through their skin. Bisphenol A (BPA) is perhaps the archetypal endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC)... 'To my knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that BPS crosses the human skin,' says Ana Soto... 'It shows that people who handle receipts excrete BPS in their urine, which supports the importance of dermal exposures to BPS and other EDCs.'

We know that thermal receipt paper exposes people to BPA, particularly those who handle lots of receipts. Studies show that cashiers have higher levels of BPA in their bodies than people in other occupations. Regular receipt handling may be of particular concern to pregnant or nursing women or women of childbearing age and adolescents of any gender who are still developing.

A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives adds to the evidence that people who handle thermal receipts absorb these compounds through their skin. Receipts printed on thermal paper are believed to be a common source of bisphenol exposures in people, with cashiers receiving especially high estimated exposures. Two investigators tested BPA and BPS in an in vitro human skin cell model and found that the former crossed skin more efficiently than the latter. Despite lower percutaneous absorption, the average percentage of free BPS in the men's urine was higher (6.9%) than that of free BPA (2.7%) up to 48 hours after exposure, meaning less BPS was metabolized in the body. This has potential human health implications because—like BPA—BPS has endocrine-active properties, and only free, unmetabolized bisphenols bind to estrogen receptors.

Research shows that most receipts are printed on thermal paper coated with BPA (bisphenol A) or BPS (bisphenol S), both of which are known endocrine disruptors. When you touch a thermal paper receipt, BPA or BPS can transfer to your skin and be absorbed into your bloodstream. Short, occasional exposure is unlikely to cause harm for most people, but chronic, repeated exposure is concerning, especially for those with sensitive hormone systems (pregnant people, children, those with thyroid issues).

As part of the EU's REACH Regulation Annex XVII, a restriction banning Bisphenol A (BPA) content in thermal paper above 0.02% by weight came into effect on January 2, 2020. This prohibition was implemented due to health concerns associated with BPA exposure — particularly for workers and consumers handling receipts frequently. In 2026, a new EU Implementing Regulation (2026/313) has been adopted, requiring registration of imports of lightweight thermal paper originating from China — a key thermal paper exporter — to improve traceability and safety oversight.

A number of studies have shown that BPA can be transferred to the skin from thermal paper. Following the handling of receipts, the concentration of bisphenol A in the blood and urine can also be measured. Some researchers believe that for most people, cash register receipts represent the most significant exposure to BPA. The amount of BPA that shows up in the blood after handling receipts has been found to be more than if a comparable amount were consumed.

Purchase receipts are an underrecognized source of hormone-disrupting chemicals in our bodies–especially for workers who frequently handle receipts. Bisphenols, particularly bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), are chemicals linked to reproductive harm that are present in high concentrations when used in receipt paper. Bisphenol S, the most common developer used in current U.S. receipts according to our testing, was classified by U.S. EPA as a potentially high hazard for toxicity in human development. BPS absorbs through the skin, although not as rapidly as BPA.

Many businesses are aware that California's Prop 65 list includes bisphenols such as BPA and BPS commonly found in thermal receipt paper. More recently, Washington State passed legislation that will ban bisphenol-based thermal paper beginning January 1, 2026. Businesses operating in Washington must transition to Non-Phenol Thermal Paper Rolls to remain compliant.

Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA have reviewed BPA exposure from thermal paper and concluded that dermal absorption from receipts poses low risk for general consumers, though occupational exposure for cashiers warrants precautions. Multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm BPA transfer but debate clinical harm thresholds, with no definitive causal link to disease from casual touching established as of 2025.

Some thermal receipts contain BPS, a chemical in the same family as BPA. It can transfer to the skin—but that doesn't mean one touch = danger. California law requires a warning if any amount is detected—but that's not the same as proven harm. There is still a lot we're learning, especially about lower dose long-term exposure like just touching a receipt here and there. The next step isn't panic; it's pushing for science-backed standards that tell us how much BPS exposure is actually risky.