40% of receipts from CVS, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods and KFC Contain BPA

The Environmental Working Group has found that receipts from many businesses contain bisphenol A, or BPA. 40% of receipts from CVS, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, KFC, and some other businesses all contain the component.

Bisphenol A has been tested in animal studies and caused the reproductive system to develop abnormally caused abnormalities in behavior and it can have an adverse effect on cognitive functioning.

Receipts often collect in pockets, purses, and wallets. They are touched often and then the hands are not being washed before eating. BPA can be soaked in through the skin and can get deep enough that it can not be washed off. There are fears that those that handle baby bottles or formula may be exposing babies to the BPA.

The people that handle the receipts on a daily basis are at greatest risk of being affected. Those that work on the registers and have to change out the rolls of receipts or tear them off all day every day are at great risk of having problems from the BPA. The only way to be certain that you are preventing exposure is to handle receipts only when wearing plastic gloves so that the receipts do not touch your skin.