New Testing Finds Illegal Levels of Bisphenol S in Receipt Paper
CONTACT: Matt Nevins, [email protected]
Oakland, California – Today, the nonprofit watchdog Center for Environmental Health announced new legal action against eight companies for exposing customers to Bisphenol S (BPS)–the lesser-known but also harmful chemical cousin to Bisphenol A (BPA)–in receipt paper. BPS, like BPA, is a hormone-disrupting chemical that mimics estrogen and can disrupt the normal functioning of the body, including metabolism, growth and development, and reproduction.
BPS was added to the list of chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive issues at the end of 2023, which allowed businesses a one year grace period to ensure that their products either did not contain this chemical, or included a clear and reasonable warning for the presence of BPS. After December 29, 2024, CEH conducted testing to determine if receipt paper still included this chemical in levels that can harm human health and found eight companies in violation of California Proposition 65.
The retailers are: Exxon, Walmart, Saks Off 5th, Aesop, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ross, Ace Hardware, and Lowe’s.
Previously, CEH reached legal agreements with over 10 major retailers and suppliers of receipts, requiring that they remove BPA from their receipt thermal paper. While the receipts were reformulated to remove BPA, CEH’s recent investigation showed the presence of BPS.
“For more than two decades, CEH has ensured that companies and manufacturers that remove one toxic chemical from their products do not replace it with another toxic, regrettable substitute,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, CEO at CEH. “These companies have the opportunity to lead by improving their product specifications so that the receipt paper they purchase is safer for their workers and customers.”
In 2021, CEH co-created a certification program that highlights products–including thermal paper used for receipts–that do not contain harmful chemicals.
“Studies show that BPS, like BPA, can be absorbed through skin when handling receipt paper, even for short periods,” said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director of the Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevent Program at CEH. “When companies know better, they must do better. We are calling on retailers to demand a healthier specification for receipt paper from their suppliers, and suppliers have an opportunity to meet this demand and certify their products under CEH and Clean Production Action’s standard.”
To reduce exposure to BPS, CEH recommends that whenever possible, consumers either decline receipts printed on thermal paper, or opt to receive receipts via email for their purchases. Store workers who must handle receipts should wear gloves if possible or avoid using alcohol-based hand cleaners before handling a receipt because it can significantly increase the absorption of BPS.
Learn more about how California’s Proposition 65 improves public health.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) is a 28-year-old organization leading the nationwide effort to protect people from toxic chemicals to achieve a cleaner, safer, healthier world.