March 7, 2025 – A video warning about the potential harmful substances in shopping receipts has sparked heated discussion online recently. A breast cancer patient from Guangdong took to video to alert the public about the hidden health risks in commonly used cash register receipts. She highlighted that these receipts are often made of “thermal paper,” which features a Bisphenol A (BPA) coating that turns black when heated. Bisphenol A, an estrogenic compound, may adversely affect human reproductive development and overall health.
Bisphenol A is widely used in industry, not only as a crucial raw material for producing polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and other polymeric materials but also found in certain paper products like the shopping receipts we frequently encounter. Polycarbonate is commonly used to manufacture tableware and microwave containers, while epoxy resin serves as the lining coating for canned food and beverages.
According to Liu Yan, director of the Reproductive Medicine Department at Wuhan Puren Hospital, studies have confirmed that Bisphenol A, structurally similar to natural estrogens, can disrupt the body’s estrogen balance when ingested in excess, leading to a series of health issues. This is particularly concerning for sensitive populations such as infants, pregnant women, and adolescents.
Although there is no conclusive evidence linking BPA in printed receipts directly to reproductive development problems or cancer, the potential for it to enter the body through various pathways cannot be ignored. To reduce exposure risks to Bisphenol A, Liu Yan recommends a series of precautionary measures. Firstly, reduce the use of plastic and canned products, and soak newly purchased food-contact plastic items in warm water for a few days before use. Secondly, improve daily habits by opting for glass or ceramic containers for storing food and drinking water. Lastly, when dealing with shopping receipts, choose electronic invoices whenever possible, avoid touching receipts with wet or oily hands, wash hands thoroughly after contact before handling food, and keep receipts away from infants.