WASHINGTON, July 27 (UPI) -- The controversial chemical BPA -- used in food packaging -- shows up in another, unexpected place, researchers say: cash register receipts handled by millions.
Heat-activated register receipts can be between 0.8 percent and 3 percent pure BPA by weight, and the chemical is easily transferred to the skin of anyone handling them, an Environment Working Group release said Tuesday.
BPA in food packaging has been shown to easily leach into infant formula, beverages and canned food, the release said.
In animal tests, scientists have produced evidence that BPA can induce abnormal reproductive system development, diminished intellectual capacity and behavioral abnormalities, EWG said.
Major retailers reportedly using BPA-containing receipts included McDonald's, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway and the U.S. Postal Service.
Exposure to BPA in receipts is an obvious concern to shoppers, but even more so to people who staff cash registers at tens of thousands of retailers across the country.
These workers handle BPA-loaded receipts hundreds of times a day with as yet unknown consequences for their health, EWG said.
