Are Receipts Really Toxic? What Parents Need to Know

Ever seen someone refuse a receipt or ask for “paperless”?

That's likely because many store receipts are printed on thermal paper coated with chemicals that react to heat and have been linked to potential health risks. For years, that included bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone-disrupting compound linked to infertility, hormone imbalances, and other health concerns. These days, most U.S. retailers have replaced BPA with bisphenol S (BPS), but BPS may not be much better.

Like BPA, BPS mimics estrogen, which can interfere with many of the body’s processes. Animal studies suggest exposure to BPS could impact fertility, insulin regulation, and even contribute to gestational diabetes. In fact, California recently classified BPS as a reproductive toxicant for both men and women.

So, do parents need to worry about receipts?

Fortunately, briefly handling a receipt now and then is not a major cause for concern. Experts say the amount of exposure most people get from occasional contact is very low. That said, there are some easy ways to minimize exposure, especially if you’re a parent or a retail worker who handles receipts all day.

Here are a few smart, simple steps:

• Say yes to digital receipts when offered.
• Don’t give receipts to little ones to hold or play with—they’re fun to crinkle, but better to play it safe.
• Throw receipts away as soon as you’re done with them—don’t leave them where their dust can spread.
• Wash your hands after shopping—but avoid hand sanitizer right after handling receipts, as it may increase skin absorption of these chemicals.
• If you work in retail, consider using nitrile gloves for longer shifts.

And if your little one loves to crinkle receipts in the shopping cart? Offer a safe toy instead!

More on Kids and Chemicals:

• What to Know About Endocrine Disruptors
• Happiest Baby & EWG’s Clean Pregnancy Guide
• How Lead Harms Kids—and How to Prevent Exposure

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REFERENCES

• I’ve Heard Receipts Are Toxic. Is It Safe to Touch Them?, The New York Times, June 2025
• Estrogenic Activity of BPS Compared to BPA, Pediatric Research, January 2017
• Gestational Diabetes and Bisphenol S Exposure, Toxicological Sciences, October 2018
• Bisphenol S and Vascular Health in Children, Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2019
• Effects of Bisphenol S on Fat Accumulation in Mice, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, April 2016
• Toxic and EDC Effects of Bisphenol S, Science of The Total Environment, July 2023

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.