New Study Finds Receipts May Be More Dangerous Than You Think

Next time you’re handed a paper receipt at checkout, you might want to think twice before tucking it into your wallet. A new study from the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has uncovered high levels of bisphenol S (BPS) in thermal paper receipts across dozens of major U.S. retailers. That means that receipts pose a serious, often-overlooked health risk.BPS is a chemical used in thermal receipt paper to help ink appear when printed. It’s a lesser-known cousin of BPA, a substance already banned in food packaging in the European Union due to its toxic properties. While many companies have phased out BPA, they’ve replaced it with BPS, which, according to CEH researchers, may be just as harmful.How harmful? Just ten seconds of skin contact with a BPS-coated receipt can lead to chemical exposure levels that exceed California’s Proposition 65 safety thresholds for carcinogens, CEH reported. That’s particularly worrying for retail workers who handle hundreds of receipts daily, but it’s also a concern for everyday consumers.“This is really eye-opening,” said CEH science director Mihir Vohra. “The concentration levels we found are extremely high—and they’re on receipts most of us touch without thinking.”CEH tested receipts from nearly 50 national brands, including Dollar General, Burger King, AMC Theatres, Subway, and Chanel. The organization already issued legal violation notices to 32 companies and warned that others could face lawsuits if they fail to add warnings or switch to safer paper alternatives within 60 days.BPS has been linked to hormone disruption, breast cancer, reduced sperm count, and cognitive development issues. Unlike many other chemicals, BPS is easily absorbed through the skin and builds up quickly with repeated exposure.Washington state has already moved to ban bisphenols from receipt paper starting in 2026 under its Safer Products for Washington law, becoming the first U.S. state to do so.In the meantime, experts recommend small changes to minimize exposure: opt for digital or emailed receipts, avoid crumpling or folding paper receipts, and wash hands after handling them. Retail workers may also benefit from wearing gloves during shifts.The bottom line: something as routine as touching a receipt might carry hidden risks—ones now too big to ignore.Related: These Canned Foods Are The Biggest BPA Offenders