Handling thermal paper, the type used in cash register and ATM receipts, after using hand sanitizer may expose people to more bisphenol-A, according to a new study. BPA is a chemical used in thermal papers and many plastics and thought to be a potential hormone disruptor.
Researchers asked a group of adults, 20 to 40 years of age, not to touch thermal paper receipts or consume food and beverages stored in polycarbonate containers, other plastic containers or cans for 48 hours prior to the start of the study. The participants were required to wash their hands with soap and water and rinse and dry with special wipes. Some were then asked to apply hand sanitizer and briefly rub their hands together. The sanitizer was not allowed to dry. Immediately after, they all handled thermal receipts that had been collected at stores, bars and restaurants, and then ate French fries with their hands.
The results: The researchers said handling a thermal receipt and eating food after using hand sanitizer led to a rapid increase in BPA in both blood and urine samples. One of the researchers says these findings indicate hand sanitizers can “alter the absorption rate of the BPA found on these receipts.”
The American Chemistry Council disputed the study’s claims, saying the experimental conditions were “unrealistic.”
I'm Dr Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that your doctors are reading – health news that matters to you.
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