Survies spread on social media related to the effect of the chemicals found in the receipts on the reproductive health of men and women. What is the validity of these allegations and should they be worried about?
Most paper receipts contained a chemical called “Bisphenol A” absorbed easily through the skin and are associated with health problems such as hormone disorder, and exposure to the skin has been associated with fertility problems, hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, and some types of cancer.
This substance has been widely replaced over the past decade, and has used another chemical, “Bisphenol S”.
Experts – according to the American Washington Post – says that many of these warnings are not completely wrong, and the risks associated with dealing with paper receipts depend on many factors, including the number of touches and the duration of that.
“We do not know much about Pishenol S, how it affects the body and safe exposure levels,” says Nancy Hobfv, an industrial toxin specialist at Lausanne University in Switzerland.
What chemicals used to print receipts?
Most paper receipts are printed on a type of paper called thermal paper, and it is covered with chemicals and chemicals that interact with heat to create a printed image.
Andrea Gore, a professor of pharmacology and toxins at the University of Texas in the United States, said that “bisphenol A” simulates estrogen, a hormone that interacts with many body cells, including cells of the reproductive and brain.
Dr. Andrea added: “This substance can be deceived and made it believe that it is linked to estrogen, while it is actually linked to an artificial chemical.”
A study conducted in 2023 concluded 571 paper receipts collected from 24 states, that only 1% of these receipts contain “bisphenol A”, while 85% of it contains “bisphenols”.
Do you should worry?
And Dr. Andrea said: “We do not know if what Bisphenols was safer than bisphenol E, but there is increasing evidence that Pisphenols also simulates estrogen, in ways that may cause similar health effects, especially those related to childbearing. “
When feeding pregnant mice on “bisphenols”, researchers found levels similar to what humans are exposed daily that their female offspring faces difficulty in pregnancy, and gives birth to fewer mice compared to pregnant mice that have not been nurtured.
In a 2019 study of 1841 women pregnant in China, scientists have found that women who have the highest levels of “Peshenols” in their Paul were 68% more likely to develop lower -level diabetes compared to those who have lower levels.
Other studies conducted on mice linked the intake of “bisphenols” to obesity, and studies have found that those who have a higher percentage of “bisphenols” in their urine tend to show higher signs of insulin resistance and blood vessels.
Dr. Nassi said: “We know that both Pisphenol A and Bisvinol S are absorbed through the skin and are tied with higher health risks.”
Jonathan Martin, the toxic scientist and professor at the Swedish Stockholm University, explained that while it is difficult to deal with paper receipts directly causes these problems, there is sufficient evidence of a recommendation to avoid them and avoid other products that contain these chemicals.
The body does not absorb “bisphenols” and “bisphenol A” immediately, so you don’t have to worry much about touching the receipt for a few seconds or even a few minutes. “It takes two hours before entering the skin,” said Dr. Nancy.
Wearing gloves can reduce the exposure of retailers to these materials, and Dr. Nancy explained that the thermal receipts dust can remain on the hands for hours, so they should be washed as quickly as possible, but without using the handicapped hand because this enhances their absorption.
The receipt should be caught with the tips of the fingers, and it should not be left lying so that dust falls on the clothes or wallets, or where young children may find it, and the best strategy is to get rid of the receipt immediately.
Dr. Andrea advised to dispense with paper receipts completely and obtain an electronic receipt.