A US nonprofit watchdog has taken legal action against 32 major retailers after finding high levels of the harmful chemical, bisphenol S (BPS), in their receipts.

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), tested receipts from major retailers, including Subway, Forever 21, and GAP, and found that some of the receipts contained high levels of BPS.

Bisphenol S (BPS), is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) belonging to the bisphenol group. EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the body’s sensitive endocrine (hormone) system, which controls key functions such as growth and brain development.

Exposure to EDCs has been linked to numerous health impacts such as reproductive issues, obesity, and hormone-related cancers, including breast and testicular cancer.

BPS has also been classified as toxic to reproduction in the EU, and California has added it to a list of chemicals known to cause reproductive issues.

BPS is frequently used to replace bisphenol A (BPA) in receipts, which has been banned in thermal paper receipts in the EU since January 2020. However, as BPS has similar health concerns to BPA, this is an example of regrettable substitution, whereby one harmful chemical is replaced by another chemical with a similar structure, that is later found out to also be harmful.

CEH states that in California businesses must either ensure their products do not contain BPS or include a warning on the presence of the substance. CEH is now taking legal action against 32 retailers for violating California’s safety threshold. The organisation recommends declining printed receipts where possible to reduce your risk of exposure.

CHEM Trust is calling for a group ban on bisphenols in the EU and UK.

Find more information on the bisphenols group in our Toxic Soup report.

Read more on bisphenols and EDCs.

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