Bisphenol A, or BPA for short, has been recognized as an endocrine disruptor, mimicking estrogen. This compound is found in the resin that lines cans containing foods and beverages. It is also found in the thermal receipts that you may get at the grocery store, ATM machine or gas station.
Questions have been raised whether handling receipts would result in a measurable BPA exposure. To find out, Harvard researchers conducted a pilot study with 24 volunteers. These subjects were asked to spend two hours printing and handling thermal receipts. They also provided urine specimens from before and after the experiment.
A week later the same subjects repeated the experiment while wearing disposable gloves. The results showed handling these receipts without gloves dramatically boosted the concentration of BPA in urine. Wearing gloves provided significant protection. Although the levels may not be dangerous for consumers who only handle a receipt occasionally, cashiers who print and touch receipts for 40 hours a week may be exposing themselves to excessive levels of BPA.
