Shopping Bills, Receipts Have Toxic Chemicals That Can Get Absorbed In Skin
Social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok and X, are overflowing with viral claims that thermal paper receipts are linked to health issues. According to a study, these claims could be true.
The study published in 2021 found that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is considered to be associated with the increased incidence of breast cancer. Notably, the chemicals are added as a coating to thermal paper to help ink develop.
Recently, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) sent violation notices to about 50 major retailers in the United States. The non-profit group alerted the companies, including Burger King, Chanel, and Dollar General, about the high limits for BPS.
Touching a receipt with BPS for a few seconds might result in exposure above the safe harbour level, requiring a clear warning to those companies who use it. The issue has made store workers and frequent receipt handlers at higher risk.
Researcher Dr Leonardo Trasande, a professor of paediatrics and environmental health researcher at NYU Langone, recently told Business Insider that harmful chemicals sneak into our lives from unexpected places. "We don't think of thermal paper receipts as plastic, but that shiny coating is a polymer on top."
Bisphenol is a class of chemicals used in a wide range of consumer products, including food packaging, fabrics, toys and cookware. Many companies have ditched BPA's use, replacing it with BPA-free material. However, recent research has found that BPS, which is often used as an alternative to BPA, is also toxic.
How to mitigate the problem?
Experts have urged to decline printed receipts when possible or opt for digital receipts. The store workers should wear gloves when handling receipts, or avoid using alcohol-based hand cleaners before handling receipts. And also, advocate for safer alternatives and support companies that use BPS-free receipt paper.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
70-year-old Roshni Devi aka Weight Lifter Mummy shares veg protein diet that keeps her active: ‘I eat rice, dal, salad'
Age is just a number for Roshni Devi Sangwan, who goes by the name Weight Lifter Mummy on Instagram. The 70-year-old woman started going to the gym and lifting weights when she was 68, and never stopped after that, inspiring millions of older people to hit the gym and get their life back on track. 70-year-old Roshni Devi Sangwan, who goes by Weight Lifter Mummy on Instagram, started going to the gym and lifting weights when she was 68 years old. Also Read | Cardiologist reveals why people in 30s, 40s are collapsing during workouts: Treadmill isn't the enemy but… In an Instagram post shared on August 2, Ranveer Allahbadia met Roshni Devi for an interview and was impressed by her strength. 'With every rep, I feel inspired. So, what do you eat to get protein in a vegetarian diet?' he said. He also asked several questions about how she managed to achieve the feat, and also inquired about her diet and how she adds protein to her meals to complete her intake, being a vegetarian. Let's find out what the 70-year-old woman eats: Protein diet for a 70-year-old woman According to Roshni Devi, here's her meal plan that helps complete her protein intake: In the morning, she takes a little bit of oats, 10 almonds and 10 raisins, and blends them together to make a power-packed drink, and has it as juice. In summer, she eats a little bit of rice, dal, salad, and curd for lunch. Then, in the evening, she makes 1 moong dal chilla using soaked moong. She also adds paneer to it and a little bit of green chilli. 'Then I drink a glass of milk. I eat this. I don't eat anything else,' she added. Should old people weight train? Many believe that as we age, our muscles weaken, leading to recommendations that older adults should only engage in milder exercises. However, numerous studies have shown the benefits of hitting the gym, no matter the age. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Ageing and Physical Activity on April 1, 2025, debunked this popular claim, which has discouraged older adults from strength training. The researchers studied muscle function changes after exercise in both younger and older adults. The findings were surprising as older adults did not show greater signs of muscle damage, in contrast to what was believed earlier. The most notable finding of the study is that older adults reported much less muscle soreness after lifting exercises than younger adults. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Dubai brand chocolate recalled in Canada over Salmonella risk amid pistachio outbreak
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in International A popular chocolate bar with ties to viral food trends has been recalled across parts of Canada due to concerns over Salmonella contamination , according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).The product at the center of the recall is the Dubai brand Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate , sold in 145-gram bars with the UPC 6 11834 51237 1 and production code 225.174. It was distributed in Quebec and sold online. The recall was triggered by test results, the CFIA said, and is being carried out by Distribution Bonbons JJ illnesses have been directly linked to the chocolate bar so far. However, the recall comes amid a broader national salmonella outbreak tied to contaminated pistachio products, which have now sickened at least 52 people across four provinces: Quebec (39), Ontario (9), British Columbia (3), and Manitoba (1). Nine people have been hospitalized.'While no illnesses have been reported from this specific chocolate, the product contains pistachios that could be linked to the outbreak,' the CFIA Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is investigating two strains of the bacteria, Salmonella Havana and Salmonella Mbandaka, that have been identified in the national outbreak. Officials note that many of those affected are women between the ages of 2 and 89, and that the true number of cases may be much higher due to bacteria don't change the taste, smell, or appearance of food, but they can cause serious illness. Symptoms typically appear 6 to 72 hours after exposure and include fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy people recover without treatment, but infants, seniors, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe CFIA advises anyone who purchased the recalled chocolate to throw it out or return it to the point of sale. Anyone who believes they may have fallen ill after eating the product should seek medical of the affected product were released by the agency, showing a gold foil bar with ornate green pistachio and knafeh imagery, part of the Dubai brand's growing popularity on TikTok and Instagram in the last the name 'Dubai' may imply a link to the UAE, Gulf News clarified that the chocolate is not manufactured in Dubai itself, but rather marketed under that brand name and distributed through Canadian CFIA says its food safety investigation is ongoing, and more products may be recalled as testing are encouraged to monitor official updates at and avoid eating any products tied to the recall.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Cardiologist reveals why people in 30s, 40s are collapsing during workouts: Treadmill isn't the enemy but…
The rising number of people collapsing during workouts is alarming. but did you know it is not the high intensity exercises you do that are the enemy, rather it is an underlying issue that many of us ignore, and which often leads to a heart-related issue. The key isn't avoiding exercise — it's detecting and addressing the silent risk factors before they turn fatal.(Freepik) Also Read | Cardiologist reveals 5 hidden signs of heart failure you might be overlooking: Unexpected weight gain to nausea In an Instagram post shared on August 1, Dr Alok Chopra, MD, MBBS, a functional medicine expert and cardiologist, explained why people under 40 are experiencing a higher risk of heart-related diseases. Why are people in their 30s and 40s collapsing during workouts? According to the cardiologist, it is not the treadmill that's to blame. Rather, it's the underlying metabolic dysfunction that goes unnoticed for years. He suggested: 'The key isn't avoiding exercise — it's detecting and addressing the silent risk factors before they turn fatal.' Sharing the post Dr Chopra wrote, 'Fast track to a heart attack. It's not the treadmills triggering heart issues for the under 40s, it's the metabolic dysfunction.' What's the real culprit? Pointing out how many of us now know young people who have experienced heart attacks on a treadmill or during high-intensity training. Dr Chopra stressed that the real culprit is something else, including: Poor Metabolic Health Silent Insulin Resistance Chronic Inflammation Stress Overload Poor Sleep and Recovery Nutrient-Deficient Diets. He further stated that though a lot of heart-related accidents happen during high-intensity workouts, what happens on a treadmill is the symptom surfacing. Not the cause. 'If your body is already a ticking time bomb, a sudden workout might just light the fuse. The treadmill isn't the enemy. The enemy is what you're ignoring,' he stated. So, what should you do instead? Early detection is the first step. In an Instagram post shared on July 22, Dr Naveen Bhamri, cardiologist, MD, DM, there are two tests that you should do along with an ECG to know the actual condition of your heart: TMT and ECO cardiography. Know all about these tests here. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
