Holding bill receipts for more than 10 seconds may decrease your sperm count: Research
ATM
slips, and restaurant bills may contain
Bisphenol S
(BPS), a chemical that can be absorbed through the skin within seconds. BPS is a hormone-disrupting compound known to mimic estrogen, potentially affecting metabolism, growth, and development. Though marketed as a safer alternative to Bisphenol A (BPA), BPS has also been linked to a range of health concerns, including decreased sperm count, cognitive issues, and breast cancer.
Retailers in the spotlight for BPS violations
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According to a study conducted by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a U.S.-based non-profit organisation,
thermal paper receipts
were found to carry toxic levels of BPS. The CEH has issued violation notices to about 50 major retailers, including Burger King, Chanel, and Dollar General, for exceeding California's Proposition 65 limits for BPS exposure. The group warned that even brief contact with BPS-coated receipts could surpass safe harbour thresholds and may require businesses to issue formal health warnings. Store workers and frequent receipt handlers are considered particularly at risk.
Based on CEH research and testing conducted by an independent laboratory, the concentrations of BPS found in receipts were so high that touching just one receipt for 10 seconds was enough to exceed the safe harbour exposure level. Under California's Proposition 65, such levels require a clear and reasonable warning to consumers.
CEH took legal action against an additional 38 retailers following further investigations. Since the beginning of the year, CEH has filed legal complaints against a total of 90 companies for the presence of BPS in their receipt paper.
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Experts warn of unexpected sources of exposure
Dr Leonardo Trasande, a professor of paediatrics and environmental health researcher at NYU Langone, told
Business
Insider that hazardous chemicals often come from overlooked sources. He noted that while thermal paper may not appear to be plastic, its glossy coating contains polymers, including bisphenols.
Growing concerns over BPA alternatives
Bisphenols are a class of chemicals found in numerous consumer goods, including food packaging, fabrics, toys, and cookware. Many companies have phased out BPA in favour of BPA-free materials, often replacing it with BPS. However, emerging research indicates that BPS may carry similar or greater toxicity.
Precautionary measures recommended
To reduce exposure, experts recommend opting for digital receipts where possible and declining printed ones. For individuals who must handle receipts regularly, such as retail staff, wearing gloves is advised. Avoiding alcohol-based hand sanitisers before touching receipts and supporting businesses that use BPS-free alternatives are also suggested as preventive steps.
CEH urges regulatory action
The CEH has called on regulatory bodies to update
chemical safety regulations
and enforce clearer labelling for products containing harmful bisphenols. The organisation stated that relying on chemical substitutions without thorough health evaluations could lead to ongoing risks. It has also encouraged consumers to be aware of the presence of such substances in everyday products and to push for safer commercial practices.
Full list of companies facing CEH legal action for BPS in receipts
Ace Hardware
Dutch Bros
Petco
Aesop
Exxon
Petsmart
Alliance Thermal Paper
Famous Footwear
PF Chang's
Amazon Fresh
FedEx Office & Print
Phillips 66 (76)
AMC
Five Guys
Pizza Hut
Applebee's
Foot Locker
Pressed
Autozone
Forever 21
Raising Cane's
Baskin Robbins
GameStop
Red Robin
Burger King
Gap Outlet
Red Lobster
Burlington
Habit Burger
Ross
Capital One
Harbor Freight
Saks Off 5th
Carl's Jr
Hot Dog on a Stick
Shake Shack
Cardenas
IHOP
Shell
Smart & Final
Champs
Jack in the Box
Sonic
Chanel
JCPenney
Spencer's
Chili's
JPMorgan Chase
Staples
Church's
KFC
Subway
Cinnabon
Kroger (Foods Co)
Taco Bell
Claire's
Lids
Tractor Supply
Coldstone
Little Caesars
The Cheesecake Factory
Converse
Lowe's
ULTA
Crumbl
McDonald's Corporation
Victoria's Secret
Daiso
MOD Pizza
Walmart
Del Taco
Nordstrom Rack
Wetzel's Pretzels
Denny's
Office Depot
Wells Fargo
Dick's Sporting Goods
Olive Garden
Williams Sonoma
Dollar General
Papa John's
Yard House
Dollar Tree
Papa Murphy's
Domino's
Peet's Coffee & Tea
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Common items such as shopping receipts, ATM slips, and restaurant bills may contain Bisphenol S (BPS), a chemical that can be absorbed through the skin within seconds. BPS is a hormone-disrupting compound known to mimic estrogen, potentially affecting metabolism, growth, and development. Though marketed as a safer alternative to Bisphenol A (BPA), BPS has also been linked to a range of health concerns, including decreased sperm count, cognitive issues, and breast cancer. According to a study conducted by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a U.S.-based non-profit organisation, thermal paper receipts were found to carry toxic levels of BPS. The CEH has issued violation notices to about 50 major retailers, including Burger King, Chanel, and Dollar General, for exceeding California's Proposition 65 limits for BPS exposure. The group warned that even brief contact with BPS-coated receipts could surpass safe harbour thresholds and may require businesses to issue formal health warnings. Store workers and frequent receipt handlers are considered particularly at risk. Based on CEH research and testing conducted by an independent laboratory, the concentrations of BPS found in receipts were so high that touching just one receipt for 10 seconds was enough to exceed the safe harbour exposure level. Under California's Proposition 65, such levels require a clear and reasonable warning to consumers. CEH took legal action against an additional 38 retailers following further investigations. Since the beginning of the year, CEH has filed legal complaints against a total of 90 companies for the presence of BPS in their receipt paper. Dr Leonardo Trasande, a professor of paediatrics and environmental health researcher at NYU Langone, told Business Insider that hazardous chemicals often come from overlooked sources. He noted that while thermal paper may not appear to be plastic, its glossy coating contains polymers, including bisphenols. Bisphenols are a class of chemicals found in numerous consumer goods, including food packaging, fabrics, toys, and cookware. Many companies have phased out BPA in favour of BPA-free materials, often replacing it with BPS. However, emerging research indicates that BPS may carry similar or greater toxicity. To reduce exposure, experts recommend opting for digital receipts where possible and declining printed ones. For individuals who must handle receipts regularly, such as retail staff, wearing gloves is advised. Avoiding alcohol-based hand sanitisers before touching receipts and supporting businesses that use BPS-free alternatives are also suggested as preventive steps. The CEH has called on regulatory bodies to update chemical safety regulations and enforce clearer labelling for products containing harmful bisphenols. The organisation stated that relying on chemical substitutions without thorough health evaluations could lead to ongoing risks. It has also encouraged consumers to be aware of the presence of such substances in everyday products and to push for safer commercial practices. Ace Hardware Dutch Bros Petco Aesop Exxon Petsmart Alliance Thermal Paper Famous Footwear PF Chang's Amazon Fresh FedEx Office & Print Phillips 66 (76) AMC Five Guys Pizza Hut Applebee's Foot Locker Pressed Autozone Forever 21 Raising Cane's Baskin Robbins GameStop Red Robin Burger King Gap Outlet Red Lobster Burlington Habit Burger Ross Capital One Harbor Freight Saks Off 5th Carl's Jr Hot Dog on a Stick Shake Shack Cardenas IHOP Shell Smart & Final Champs Jack in the Box Sonic Chanel JCPenney Spencer's Chili's JPMorgan Chase Staples Church's KFC Subway Cinnabon Kroger (Foods Co) Taco Bell Claire's Lids Tractor Supply Coldstone Little Caesars The Cheesecake Factory Converse Lowe's ULTA Crumbl McDonald's Corporation Victoria's Secret Daiso MOD Pizza Walmart Del Taco Nordstrom Rack Wetzel's Pretzels Denny's Office Depot Wells Fargo Dick's Sporting Goods Olive Garden Williams Sonoma Dollar General Papa John's Yard House Dollar Tree Papa Murphy's Domino's Peet's Coffee & Tea Disclaimer: This report is based on findings by CEH in the United States during April and May 2025. The present status of these findings is currently unknown. Readers are advised to exercise discretion.
