25 Investigates: “Toxic” chemical found in most paper receipts

A toxic chemical researchers say can harm child development and contribute to breast cancer and female reproductive issues was detected in a large sample of paper receipts, a 25 Investigates and Cox Media Group investigation revealed.
25 Investigates and seven other Cox Media Group stations collected more than 240 receipts across eight states. An independent lab test showed 80 percent-195 of 245 receipts-contained Bisphenol S, an endocrine disruptor that can harm the reproductive system.
“The reason why we worry about a chemical like BPS is that when it gets into our bodies, it acts like estrogen and distrupts other hormones in our bodies,” said UMass Amherst Professor of Environmental Health Sciences Dr. Laura Vandenberg. “When we look at people who have higher levels of exposure, they’re more likely to have metabolic disease and neurological conditions. They’re more likely to develop certain cancers [or have] infertility problems.”
Boston 25 News collected 30 paper receipts from Massachusetts business and sent them off for testing at the Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit environmental organization.
Receipts from 22 local businesses tested positive for BPS:
Barnes & Noble, Dedham
Burger King, Norwood
Chick-fil-A, Dedham
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dedham
Dunkin, Dedham
Gulf, Walpole
Home Depot, Norwood
Kohl’s, Walpole
Lowe’s, Dedham
Market Basket, West Bridgewater
McDonald’s, Norwood
Old Navy, Walpole
PetSmart, Walpole
Savers, Norwood
Shaw’s, Medfield
Shell, Westwood
Stop & Shop, Dedham
Sweetgreen, Dedham
Sunoco, Norwood
Total Wine & More, Dedham
USPS, Medfield
Walmart, Walpole
CMG stations requested comment from all companies involved in the test. The United State Postal Service was one of the first organizations to respond to Boston 25 News.
“The safety and well-being of our employees and customers is a top priority. Our receipts do not contain BPA. While our receipt paper does have some BPS content and other phenols, we will explore alternatives and continue to follow all applicable local, state and federal guidelines.” a USPS spokesperson said.
A Shaw’s spokesperson said the health and safety of its employees and customers is a top priority.
“We diligently work to ensure that our company operations are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations,” the Shaw’s spokesperson said.
Target’s website says the company “fully converted to phenol-free receipt paper” in 2020. CMG stations tested six Target receipts from four states and one from Jacksonville, Florida tested positive for BPS. The company did not respond to a request for comment.
Lab results showed receipts from six national chains--CVS, HomeGoods, Marshalls, Starbucks, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods--did not contain BPS or BPA, but rather alternative color developers like Pergaset 201 or NKK-1304. TJX, the parent company of TJ-Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, said it phased out phenol in its paper receipts two years ago.
“We are pleased to have implemented our plan to phase out all phenol-based coatings…on paper customer sales receipts in our stores. We initiated the implementation of this program in our U.S. stores in 2021 and subsequently expanded it to our stores in other geographies,” a TJX spokesperson said.

[@OoMASEoO]

They forgot to add that once you add alcohol its effects are 100x more, so using hand sanitizer after handling receipts is making it astronomically worse! I wish they would've told us how to get the chemicals off our hands, is wiping with water and a paper towel enough or do you need to use soap too?? If I put the receipt in my purse is my purse then contaminated with it and every time I touch my purse I get a new dose or is it contained to just the paper? Yes, tell us the issue but also tell us the solution too.

[@ellemeno0]

I am wondering this as well. I am a cashier and wondering if it is transferring both onto and off of hands? am I also picking up the chemicals from the keyboard and other things I touch which have been touched by people handling the receipts? if I touch the receipts and then touch my face or clothes am I spreading it? also does washing up with soap and water frequently help at all?

[@alterculture]

I've been telling people this to everyone for 2 decades.

[@budsak7771]

Hell Yeah! Even now it's news to some people! 😂

[@manie3232]

Two decades! I wish I would've known that far back. I've only heard it very recently.

[@manie3232]

That could explain my ED.

[@cripz1436]

Bless you. You did what you could 😮

[@catistrolling7333]

Seems toxic chemicals every where

[@budsak7771]

Forever Chemicals

[@manie3232]

Just imagine how much cashiers touch these receipts.

[@FinalLugiaGuardian]

Seriously, at this point, if you're a cashier, just wear a properly fitting pair of nitrile gloves during your register shift. If your gloves fit snug, you barely notice them.

[@gigigregory5858]

tell me something that doesn't have something toxic in it. Idk air, water , food etc Everything is toxic these days

[@cripz1436]

I heard about this a few days ago and I'm glad I did more research to know more on this. I work with these things as a cashier and damn. 😢 I'll be switching jobs if this is found in mine 😅. I'll no longer be taking receipts. But they stood should ban this substance. Cause you're touching food and your body.

[@50factsabout]

Heres a tip.... don't eat your receipt. Problem solved

[@FreshlySnipes]

So all the blow I’ve done with receipts isn’t good??

[@Caleb-hx4cd]

Correct. You should use large denomination bills instead. Much healthier.

[@catistrolling7333]

Would this be the same as printing docs

[@Americanbadashh]

Spider-man 2099 basically called this

[@SpiritSoldier007]

Yeah i'm pretty sure in my experience you can always say no thanks To a receipt. They have their own damn trash can for crying out loud😂