You might have heard advice not to touch receipts, especially when you’re trying to conceive. We’ll explain what the concern is, what your takeaways should be, and what to ask your doctor the next time you’re in the office.

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to make plastics, and it’s widely used in reusable bottles*, kitchen utensils, coatings on canned food. and thermal receipts. It’s an endocrine disruptor, which means that it can interfere with the body’s hormones. Based on urine tests in studies, almost everyone has regular exposure to BPA. 

When we’re exposed to endocrine disruptors, it interferes with our bodies’ natural hormones, either by blocking the hormones and their receptors or by making those receptors take action. When hormonal levels are disrupted, it can mean changes to our bodies’ normal processes: earlier onset of puberty in girls, accelerated menopause in women, and lowered sperm counts in men. 

There's evidence that exposure to endocrine disruptors can negatively impact embryo implantation and "germ cells," which are cells that will eventually become eggs and sperm, and are important in creating healthy embryos.

FYI: If you want to check your own reusable bottle, check the bottom to see if it has “BPA-FREE” written on it (Nalgenes do!). 

Concerns about receipts

Some thermal receipts are coated with BPA. It can be absorbed by touching receipts and then touching your mouth or nose, or food you consume. Historically, the FDA has said that low-dose exposure shouldn’t impact people, but other countries have banned or significantly limited acceptable BPA levels in production. People with regular exposure to receipts, like cashiers, should consider wearing gloves while working.

If you’re shopping and are concerned about exposure to BPA, just decline a receipt after checking out or ask if there’s an option to have it emailed to you instead. If that’s not an option, consider throwing out your receipt afterward and using hand sanitizer. 

How to tell if a receipt is on thermal paper

“Thermal paper is thin with a slick feel or sheen finish and discolors easily when scratched with a coin or paperclip,” the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency explains. Regular paper, like you’d use in your home printer, isn’t a BPA concern.

What to ask your doctor

If you’re concerned about BPA exposure, try asking these questions at your next appointment. 

-”What do you tell patients worried about BPA exposure?”

-”If you were me, would you make any changes to avoid BPA or plastic coatings?”

-”What does the research you’ve read say about BPA?”

The bottom line

We’re all exposed to BPA regularly, but some people, like cashiers, should take precautions. If you’re worried about exposure, consider skipping receipts, asking for an emailed receipt, or wearing gloves. 

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