Health warning to anyone that gets receipts from a shop

A health expert has issued a warning regarding the receipts we receive from shops – and it's something which applies to all of us.

It's an item which you've likely touched countless times over the years and never given a second thought about. However, it turns out that the tiny piece of paper providing proof of purchase may pose an adverse health risk.

So how is this the case?

What are the health risks associated with receipts?

Thanks to the rise of digital receipts and growing environmental concerns, demand for traditional printed receipts has declined over the years.

In fact, most of us likely leave our receipts behind at the checkout, inside carrier bags or scrunch them up and bin them within minutes of leaving the shop, or even opt for an email receipt instead.

Being handed a receipt is often a pain, but who knew there were health risks associated with them? (Getty Stock Images)

However, recent research has revealed that receipts also pose a risk to our health. This is down to the chemical BPA (Bisphenol A), which has been a common component in most thermal receipts.

Widely used in the US, a recent study found that some receipts circulating in California contained BPA levels so high that touching one for just 10 seconds was enough for the skin to absorb the chemicals.

The chemical has been banned in the UK and the EU since 2020 and replaced by BPS (Bisphenol S); however, there are still concerns about this chemical.

Why are BPA-coated receipts bad?

Also found in various plastic consumer products, recent research suggests that BPA contains endocrine disruptors that can affect how our reproductive systems function.

This argument is supported by Dr. Sabine Donnai, founder of US health clinic Viavi, who told told 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."

Receipts printed on thermal paper can contain BPA or BPS chemicals, which may lead to endocrine issues (Getty Stock Images)

Should you avoid touching receipts altogether?

When it comes to whether or not you should avoid touching receipts, Donnai noted that anyone who is handed a receipt now and again will likely be okay, while those who work in retail situations should take more caution.

"I'll be the first one to say 'No, I don't want the receipt, I don't wanna touch that' [although] getting a receipt once a day is maybe not a problem," she explained.

"People that work on a till and give out receipts every day, I feel like wanna shout out and say 'Don't do this! Or wear specific gloves like nitrile (latex-free rubber) gloves'."