Handling thermal paper receipts for two hours or longer without gloves can increase the levels of BPA in one's urine.
BPA has been linked to health problems such as reproductive dysfunctions in adults and neurodevelopmental issues in children, a JAMA Network Journals news release reported.
"Exposure to BPA is primarily through dietary ingestion, including consumption of canned foods. A less-studied source of exposure is thermal receipt paper, handled daily by many people at supermarkets, ATM machines, gas stations, and other settings," according to background information from the article and the news release.
The researchers looked at 24 volunteers who provided urine samples both before and after handling thermal receipts for two hours either with or without gloves.
BPA was detected in 83 percent of participants in the initial urine test and 100 percent after the receipts were handled without gloves.
"What is a concern is a lot of these cashiers who handle receipts 40 hours a week are pregnant or of fertile age," said report author Dr. Shelley Ehrlich, an assistant professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine, told HealthDay.
BPA is believed to have an effect of fertility because it mimics the female hormone estrogen; even at low doses studies have shown the adverse health effects of the substance, even if it is absorbed or consumed in low doses, HealthDay reported.
"The researchers observed an increase in urinary BPA concentrations after continuously handling receipts for [two] hours without gloves, but no significant increase when the participants used gloves," the news release reported.
These findings could be particularly relevant to those who handle receipts during their hours of employment, such as cashiers.
"A larger study is needed to confirm our findings and evaluate the clinical implications," the authors wrote, according to the news release.
