Are thermal receipts actually toxic?
QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, I recently saw a viral video claiming the ATO is 'killing us softly' through thermal receipts – apparently they're coated in BPA and other hormone-disrupting chemicals. As someone who handles receipts at work all day (shoutout to retail life), I'm now kind of freaked out. Should we be worried about the long-term effects of touching them, or is this another TikTok conspiracy? – Jodie, 34, Wollongong NSW
ANSWER: Hi Jodie, Good news – for once, TikTok has stumbled onto some real science.
Thermal receipts – those shiny ones that fade faster than a politician's promise – often contain Bisphenol A (BPA) or its chemical sibling, BPS. These compounds are used in thermal printing to create text without ink. But here's the rub: both are known endocrine disrupters, meaning they can interfere with your hormones, especially oestrogen (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2020).
What's more worrying is that BPA can be absorbed through the skin. A 2014 study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people who handled receipts frequently – particularly with moisturised or greasy hands – absorbed measurable amounts of BPA. Another Australian study confirmed that regular skin contact can lead to significant exposure.
Now, don't panic and start wrapping your hands in cling wrap. Most of the alarming research involves high-dose exposure, usually in industrial settings or lab environments. But for retail and hospitality workers handling receipts every day, the cumulative effect is something to take seriously.
So how can you protect yourself without quitting your job or demanding a full PPE kit?
1. Wash your hands – and skip the wipes
Regular soap and water is more effective than antibacterial wipes when it comes to removing BPA residue. Easy, quick, and no need to buy anything fancy.
2. Keep your hands away from your face
BPA doesn't need an invitation to hop from your fingertips to your mouth or eyes. Less contact, less risk.
3. Wear gloves if you're pregnant or working full-time with receipts
Especially in busy environments where they're flying out like confetti. Disposable gloves can make a real difference — and no, they don't make you look ridiculous.
4. Go digital
If you're the customer, skip the paper. Most retailers now offer email or text receipts. It's cleaner, safer, and you'll stop collecting receipts for things you returned two months ago.
5. Don't be fooled by 'BPA-free'
Many retailers have switched to BPS-coated paper instead. But early research suggests BPS may be just as hormonally active – possibly worse in some cases. So it's a bit like replacing cigarettes with cigars and calling it progress.
Ultimately, we need broader changes – better regulation and safer materials. France banned BPA receipts in 2019. Australia's not there yet, but retail workers like you raising concerns is how change starts.
So yes, Jodie, your instincts were right. This isn't conspiracy – it's chemistry. And when it comes to protecting your hormones, even small changes count.
Stay sharp,
Dr Zac
Dr Zac Turner is a medical practitioner specialising in preventative health and wellness. He has four health/medical degrees – Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Sydney, Bachelor of Nursing at Central Queensland University, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a registrar for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and is completing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UNSW). Dr Zac is the medical director for his own holistic wellness medical clinics throughout Australia, Concierge Doctors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
Renewed calls for ACT specialist Parkinson's nurse
Canberra's Parkinson's community has long been campaigning for the ACT government to employ a specialist Parkinson's nurse who can visit patients at home.
ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
One in three women suffering migraines
Sabra Lane: Migraines are much more common in Australia than previously thought, with one in three women suffering from them. That's the headline finding of what's believed to be the first comprehensive analysis of the neurological condition in Australia. Advocates say it doesn't get enough attention. National Health Equity reporter Caitlyn Gribbin. Caitlyn Gribbin: Kate May starts each morning with a similar routine. Kate May: Getting out of the house, walking, stretching my legs. I have a little dog that I take on a walk every day and those sort of things kind of get me together. Caitlyn Gribbin: This approach, Kate says, makes tackling each day a little easier. The Melbourne woman lives with chronic illnesses, one of them being chronic migraine, a complex neurological condition. Kate May: Quite acute migraine symptoms, dizziness, pain on one side of your face, nausea, fatigue, all those sorts of things. For me those symptoms just kind of happen every day and blur together. There's not really a break in it. Caitlyn Gribbin: A new survey is shedding more light on the prevalence of migraine, particularly in women. Sarah White: I did not realise that we would have up to one in three women experiencing migraine in Australia. Caitlyn Gribbin: Sarah White is the Chief Executive of Jean Hailes for Women's Health. The organisation partnered with Migraine and Headache Australia for what's believed to be the first comprehensive Australian analysis of migraine rates in women. They wanted to look closer at the disease affecting 4.9 million Australians. Three quarters of sufferers are women. In fact, migraine is the leading cause of disability worldwide for women aged 18 to 49. Sarah White: Eight in ten women in the survey talking about how their work's been affected, physical health has been affected. We've had a lot of discussion in Australia which has been incredibly welcome about having things like menstrual leave or menopause leave or flexible working provisions for women's menstrual and menopause issues in the workplace. What this report is doing is saying, well, hang on a minute, women's health is not just about menstrual and menopause issues. Caitlyn Gribbin: A 2018 Deloitte report estimated migraine costs the Australian economy $35.7 billion annually. So why is the brain disorder more common in women than men? Experts say it's largely thought to be related to sex hormones as well as genetic, environmental and social factors. More than 3,600 women participated in the Jean Hailes survey earlier this year. Its findings, Alfred Hospital neurologist Emma Foster says, are eye-opening. Emma Foster: I think this might be a bit of a surprise perhaps to people who aren't in the migraine space. I think this really draws attention to how incredibly common it is. Caitlyn Gribbin: Experts previously estimated around 20 per cent of Australian women were affected by the condition. Kate May hopes the survey will help grow understanding of migraine, which she says is far more than just a bad headache. Kate May: The amount of times I've been told that's just stress, you're just not coping very well and that leads to this real under-recognition of what's going on and puts up barriers in support and treatments that can actually help us. Sabra Lane: It's Kate May who lives with chronic migraine, ending Caitlyn Gribbin's report.
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
Designed by Dietitians: Why women are turning to creatine
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more If you've assumed creatine is just about muscle mass or explosive power, you're not alone. But emerging research is painting a fresh picture – one where creatine may support your health and wellbeing, especially as women move through different life stages. 'Women typically have 70 to 80 per cent lower creatine stores than men, and consume less dietary creatine,' says accredited practising dietitian Susie Burrell. 'Emerging research is exploring how creatine may help support women's general nutritional needs throughout life.' 'Specifically, it appears that creatine supplementation may play a role in energy metabolism as part of a balanced diet,' says Burrell. 'We're seeing more research into how creatine might support women's nutrition and energy needs during specific life stages, especially in later years.' So why does it seem creatine supplementation is only beginning to gain traction among women? The shift might have less to do with the supplement itself, and more to do with the fact that women are increasingly seeking evidence-based ways to support their wellbeing, rather than just buying into vague wellness trends. WHAT IS CREATINE AND WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY DO? 'Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in muscle cells that plays a key role in energy production, especially during short periods of high intensity activity,' explains Burrell. 'It's consumed in the diet via animal-based foods including meat, chicken, fish and eggs. It's also produced in the liver, kidneys and pancreas before being stored in the muscles.' In simple terms, creatine helps fuel your body's production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), your main energy source. For short bursts of movement, like lifting, running or even climbing the stairs, your muscles call in phosphocreatine stores to recharge quickly. Supplementing with creatine helps boost those stores. WHY ARE MORE WOMEN EXPLORING CREATINE? For decades, creatine has been associated with performance and body composition. But, as Burrell points out, the science is now broadening – and so is the audience. When asked about the most common misconception around creatine, Burrell replies, 'That it's a supplement for those who work out at the gym. While we traditionally used it with elite athletes and to help optimise body composition, there is more and more evidence emerging to show a myriad of benefits for women's health, especially for older women.' It's not about doing more reps or adding muscle bulk. It's about supporting everyday wellbeing. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CREATINE SUPPLEMENT The supplement aisle can be overwhelming – and often confusing. So what should you actually be looking for if you're considering creatine? 'With any supplement, you want to know you are paying for the key ingredient you want to include in your diet,' says Burrell. 'No one wants to spend ridiculous amounts for a basic product – think an $80 or $90 hot chocolate blend that offers only a small amount of collagen. The key is to avoid any supplements containing a lot of fillers. Things like maltodextrin or sugar are cheap fillers for supplements.' Burrell's advice? Focus on quality, not hype. Look for supplements with transparent ingredient lists, clear dosage information and a formulation that focuses on quality over marketing spin. SMART SUPPLEMENTING STARTS WITH EDUCATION Alongside fellow dietitian Leanne Ward, Burrell co-hosts the top-rated nutrition podcast The Nutrition Couch, which has more than 5.3 million downloads to date. Through their platform, as well as their clinical work, the pair have developed a strong sense of what women are looking for when it comes to practical health advice. 'We know our listeners, what they need and where they get confused about nutrition,' says Burrell. 'We know they are super busy, time-poor, and looking to nourish their bodies with good quality food. We also know they want to be supplement smart, and often aren't sure what they should be taking. 'We try to give them as much practical advice as we can, to help them learn how to balance their health while enjoying good food. And to not waste their money when it comes to supplements, but rather take what they need in the right amounts from reputable sources.' For many women, creatine may not be something typically on the radar when it comes to supplements. But that appears to be shifting, as conversations open up around nutrition, energy, and how to support your body through different stages of life. It's this wider view that has helped shape how Burrell and Ward think about supplements. It's something they often explore on their podcast, and has also influenced how they've gone about developing their own range, Designed by Dietitians, through a more practical, real-world lens. When Burrell and Ward launched Designed by Dietitians, the aim wasn't to create another trend-driven wellness brand, but to bring clarity to a space often crowded with confusion. With backgrounds in clinical nutrition, their approach has centred on keeping things practical, evidence-informed and easy to understand. The range includes protein powders, hot chocolate blends and creatine, which the duo have developed with simplicity and real-life application in mind. Rather than overcomplicating what women need, the focus has been on supporting everyday wellbeing through formulations that are straightforward and thoughtfully made. That approach reflects an apparent growing shift in how women are thinking about creatine – not just as a supplement for athletes, but as a possible support tool to benefit from throughout life. While further evidence is needed, emerging research is exploring creatine's possible role in supporting general wellbeing and physical performance – including through times of change for women. While more research is required, recent findings suggest creatine may have broader benefits than many women – and health professionals – once thought. It's a sign that this once-niche supplement might be worth a second look, whether you're lifting heavy weights, moving gently, or simply navigating the day. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The product discussed is a food supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Louise Conville is a journalist, copywriter and endurance athlete with a passion for compelling storytelling across fashion, beauty, health and fitness. With two decades of editorial and content experience, she blends creativity with strategic insight to deliver content that resonates. Outside of work, she's an ultra runner and aspiring triathlete who's happiest on a long trail – occasionally off course, but always moving forward. For stories on writing, running and everything in between, find her on Instagram @louise_conville.
