Not everyone knows that every time they handle a store receipt or eat fresh fruit, even after removing the sticker, they are exposed to harmful chemicals. These chemicals include BPA (Bisphenol A), which is commonly found in soft plastic (polycarbonate) bottles and containers.

BPA and other similar chemicals are almost everywhere in our environment. 

BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC). EDCs can interfere with the body's natural hormones, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including infertility, obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

BPA can be absorbed into the body, through the skin, mouth, and lungs. 

Infants and children may be the most vulnerable to any harmful effects of BPA.

BPA exposure in childhood was associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, inattention, conduct problems, obesity, and precocious puberty.

Studies have shown that even brief exposure to BPA or BPS through handling receipt papers can lead to significant absorption into the body. One analysis found that over 88% of BPS exposure for most humans comes from handling thermal receipts. 

Absorption of BPA into the body increases as much as tenfold when thermal paper is handled with moist or greasy fingers.

BPA and BPS are found in a wide variety of products, including food contact materials, thermal paper receipts, electronic components, medical devices, reusable and disposable plastic FCM, food packaging, children's toys, sunglasses, safety helmets, LED lighting components, medical equipment, electronics components, and CDs and DVDs.

Several restrictions on BPA use have been made in different countries after detecting its deteriorating health effects. The European Commission prohibited the use of BPA in the manufacture of polycarbonate infant feeding bottles since 2011 and in plastic bottles and packaging containing food for babies and children under three years since September 2018. The European Commission has also issued a ban on BPA in thermal paper to take effect in 2020. The European Union specifically regulates the amount of BPS that can migrate from packaging into food.

In the United States, BPA is to some extent regulated (Food Additive Regulations Amended to No Longer Provide for the Use of BPA-Based Materials in Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups, and Infant Formula Packaging), but related compounds are still used in food packaging.

BPA and BPS are not only detrimental to our health, but they are also unnecessary and easily replaceable with more earth-friendly options.

Going paperless or sending electronic receipts for grocery and ATM receipts are two ways to reduce our exposure to these harmful chemicals.

It is time for the FDA to take responsibility and regulate BPA and similar chemicals like many other European countries already have.

We urge the FDA to take action and ban the use of BPA and BPS in thermal paper and food contact materials.

Together, we can make a difference and create a healthier future for ourselves and our children!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6028937/#:~:text=(10%2C%2011)%20Since%20BPA,%2C%20obesity%2C%20and%20precocious%20puberty​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/bps-food-labels-1.6792373​

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9671506/​

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/bisphenol​

https://www.ecocenter.org/about-bpa-and-bps-receipt-paper#:~:text=The%20European%20Union%20classifies%20BPA,(ECHA)%20to%20study%20BPS