Thermal receipt paper is a potential source of occupational exposure to BPA, BPS, and BPSIP.

Bisphenol A, Bisphenol S, and 4-Hydroxyphenyl 4-Isoprooxyphenylsulfone (BPSIP) in Urine and Blood of Cashiers.

K A Thayer, Karen A. Taylor, Stavros Garantziotis, Shepherd Schurman, G E Kissling, Dawn Hunt, Brenda Herbert, Rebecca Church, Rachael Jankowich, Mona I Churchwell, Richard C Scheri, Linda Birnbaum, J R Bucher

Environ Health Perspect

Aug 24, 2015

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume chemical associated with a wide range of health outcomes in animal and human studies. BPA is used as a developer in thermal paper products including cash register receipt paper; however little is known about exposure of cashiers to BPA and alternative compounds in receipt paper. OBJECTIVE: To determine if handling receipt paper results in measurable absorption of BPA or the BPA alternatives, bisphenol S (BPS) and 4-hydroxyphenyl 4-isoprooxyphenylsulfone (BPSIP). METHODS: Cashiers (n = 77) and non-cashiers (n=25) were recruited from the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region of North Carolina during 2011-2013. Receipts were analysed for the presence of BPA or alternatives considered for use in thermal paper. In cashiers, total urine and serum BPA, BPS, and BPSIP levels in post-shift samples (collected≤ 2h after completing a shift) were compared with pre-shift samples (collected ≥ 24 hours after a work shift). Urine levels in cashiers were compared to levels from non-cashiers. RESULTS: Each receipt contained 1-2% by weight of the paper of BPA, BPS, or BPSIP. The post-shift geometric mean total urinary BPS concentration was significantly higher than the pre-shift mean in 33 cashiers who handled receipts containing BPS. Mean urine BPA concentrations in 31 cashiers who handled BPA receipts were as likely to decrease as increase after a shift, but the mean post-shift concentration was significantly higher than in non-cashiers. BPSIP was detected more frequently in urine of cashiers handling BPSIP receipts compared to non-cashiers. Only a few cashiers had detectable levels of total BPA or BPS in serum, whereas BPSIP tended to be detected more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal receipt paper is a potential source of occupational exposure to BPA, BPS, and BPSIP.