‘Touching 1 Receipt for 10 Seconds’ Results in Exposure to the Chemical BPS Above the Safe Limit
CEH takes legal action against 32 major retailers
OAKLAND, California – Today, nonprofit watchdog CEH took legal action against 32 major retailers after their investigations found high levels of Bisphenol S (BPS)–the lesser-known but harmful chemical cousin to BPA in receipt paper. The retailers include The Cheesecake Factory, GAP, Claire’s, Subway, Forever 21, and Burger King.
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. Studies show that BPS can be absorbed through skin when handling receipt paper–even for short periods.
“Based on these studies and testing by an independent lab, the concentrations were so high that touching only 1 receipt with BPS for 10 seconds resulted in exposure above the safe harbor level which requires a clear and reasonable warning to consumers,” said Mihir Vohra, Science Lead at CEH.
BPS was added to the list of chemicals known to the state of California to cause 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 warning for the presence of BPS.
Previously, CEH achieved legal agreements with major retailers and suppliers of receipts, requiring that they remove BPA from their receipt thermal paper.
“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 regrettable substitute like a toxic shell game,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, CEO at CEH. “These companies have the opportunity to improve their product specifications so that the receipt paper they purchase is safe for their workers and customers.”
To reduce your exposure to BPS, CEH recommends consumers decline printed receipts when possible.
“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,” said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director of the Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevent Program at CEH. “Receipts are made from thermal paper which shouldn’t be recycled because they contain bisphenols like BPA and BPS, that can contaminate the recycling stream and pose health and environmental risks ”
Learn more about how California’s Proposition 65 improves public health.
Full list of retailers: Burger King, Famous Footwear, Capital One, Claire’s, Converse, Crumbl, Daiso, Forever 21, Subway, Foot Locker, Champs, Lids, Jack in the Box, Nordstrom Rack, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, JCPenney, Pressed, Spencer’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Gap Outlet, Victoria’s Secret, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Yard House, Smart & Final, Office Depot, Staples, Alliance Thermal Paper, Chanel, Dollar General, AMC, GameStop, and Cinnabon.