Are thermal receipts actually toxic?
QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, I recently saw a viral video claiming the ATO is 'killing us softly' through thermal receipts – apparently they're coated in BPA and other hormone-disrupting chemicals. As someone who handles receipts at work all day (shoutout to retail life), I'm now kind of freaked out. Should we be worried about the long-term effects of touching them, or is this another TikTok conspiracy? – Jodie, 34, Wollongong NSW
ANSWER: Hi Jodie, Good news – for once, TikTok has stumbled onto some real science.
Thermal receipts – those shiny ones that fade faster than a politician's promise – often contain Bisphenol A (BPA) or its chemical sibling, BPS. These compounds are used in thermal printing to create text without ink. But here's the rub: both are known endocrine disrupters, meaning they can interfere with your hormones, especially oestrogen (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2020).
What's more worrying is that BPA can be absorbed through the skin. A 2014 study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people who handled receipts frequently – particularly with moisturised or greasy hands – absorbed measurable amounts of BPA. Another Australian study confirmed that regular skin contact can lead to significant exposure.
Now, don't panic and start wrapping your hands in cling wrap. Most of the alarming research involves high-dose exposure, usually in industrial settings or lab environments. But for retail and hospitality workers handling receipts every day, the cumulative effect is something to take seriously.
So how can you protect yourself without quitting your job or demanding a full PPE kit?
1. Wash your hands – and skip the wipes
Regular soap and water is more effective than antibacterial wipes when it comes to removing BPA residue. Easy, quick, and no need to buy anything fancy.
2. Keep your hands away from your face
BPA doesn't need an invitation to hop from your fingertips to your mouth or eyes. Less contact, less risk.
3. Wear gloves if you're pregnant or working full-time with receipts
Especially in busy environments where they're flying out like confetti. Disposable gloves can make a real difference — and no, they don't make you look ridiculous.
4. Go digital
If you're the customer, skip the paper. Most retailers now offer email or text receipts. It's cleaner, safer, and you'll stop collecting receipts for things you returned two months ago.
5. Don't be fooled by 'BPA-free'
Many retailers have switched to BPS-coated paper instead. But early research suggests BPS may be just as hormonally active – possibly worse in some cases. So it's a bit like replacing cigarettes with cigars and calling it progress.
Ultimately, we need broader changes – better regulation and safer materials. France banned BPA receipts in 2019. Australia's not there yet, but retail workers like you raising concerns is how change starts.
So yes, Jodie, your instincts were right. This isn't conspiracy – it's chemistry. And when it comes to protecting your hormones, even small changes count.
Stay sharp,
Dr Zac
Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
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