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Bisphenols are industrial chemicals used in receipts and tickets
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There is increasing evidence that bisphenols are harming the environment and could be impacting human health by affecting our hormones
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Bisphenol A (BPA) will be banned from receipts in the EU by 2020, but some retailers are switching to other bisphenols like BPS, which are also of concern
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Some retailers have already phased out all bisphenols from their receipts, with some ditching paper entirely by introducing digital options
What are bisphenols?
Bisphenols are a group of synthetic chemicals used to make some plastics, and thermal paper for tickets and receipts. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most studied bisphenol and one of the highest produced chemicals, manufactured at a rate of around 2.7 million tonnes each year. Evidence suggest that BPA disrupts endocrine (hormonal) systems in both humans and animal species [1] and is found in the blood and urine of almost every person who has been tested [2].
Whilst some bisphenols have not been studied as closely as BPA, all bisphenols have a similar structure and composition, and many have similar effects on humans and animals.
One way that these chemicals enter our bodies is through our skin when touching receipts and tickets. Bisphenols can also be released into the environment through landfill leachate, paper mill effluent and the breakdown of products that contain these chemicals, such as receipts.
What’s the problem?
It is clear from the academic, scientific research that bisphenols can have a negative impact on human and environmental health and need to be monitored, regulated and banned where the use is unnecessary and harmful. Balabanič et al. (2017) [3] go as far as claiming that “endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are one of the most critical class of contaminants since they can cause adverse effects in the living organisms due to their interference with the endocrine system.” As a result, many academics and NGOs, such as Fidra, would like to see greater action in regard to the regulation and use of bisphenols as a group, not just on one bisphenol chemical such as BPA alone.
Health impacts
Research like that completed by Balabanič et al. (2017) [4] on the impacts of endocrine (hormone) disruptors on biological processes, highlight the damage that can be caused to human fertility, formation of genitals and hormone related cancers. Valentino et al. (2015) [5] express that exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) via tin cans, plastic packaging and till receipts and tickets “must be reduced” due to the results that they found on human health, especially in regard to foetal and neonatal exposure.
Environmental impacts
CHEM Trust’s report, ‘From BPA to BPZ: a toxic soup?‘ explains that BPA is ubiquitous throughout our natural environment, having a wide variety of different impacts on wildlife. This includes disruption to the development of Zebrafish larvae and amphibians as well as altering the sex and reproductive systems of various fish species [6].
In addition, a recent study from Guo et al. (2017) shows that BPA has been found to build up in green algae. This is known as ‘bioaccumulation’ as the chemical is absorbed by an organism quicker than it can be processes. This study also demonstrated that bisphenol was transferred from contaminated alga to plankton that eat it, therefore suggesting that it is possible for bisphenols to build up in the food chain [7].
What’s the solution?
Fidra have been working with the UK’s major retailers to find out what’s on their receipts, encouraging them to limit the environmental impact of their receipts, through turning off automatic receipts, going digital and switching to bisphenol free paper. We want to see all retailers choosing bisphenol-free options, rather than substituting BPA for another bisphenol, like BPS.
As UK supermarket Coop demonstrates, by using digital receipts, bisphenol free paper and no receipting options is an important part of being a responsible business. Iain Ferguson, Environment Manager Co-op, said: “We believe how we do business really matters, from our work to cut carbon, source sustainably and eradicate hard to recycle plastic, through to bisphenol and phenol-free till receipts – we are committed to ensuring we have a healthy, sustainable natural environment to pass on to future generations.”
Have a look at our table to find out what your supermarket is doing:
Bans on bisphenols
The growing concerns about the effects of bisphenols has led to the banning of BPA in various products in countries such as Canada, France and China. The EU has banned BPA in baby products and from 2020 they will also introduce a ban of the use on receipts [8].
Current legislation addresses these chemicals individually, which risks companies switching to another harmful bisphenols; such as replacing BPA for BPS on our receipts. BPS and flourine-9- bisphenol (BHPF) have been shown to have similar properties to BPA, which may lead to bans on BPS in the future. By phasing out all bisphenols, businesses and organisations will be able to stay ahead of legislation and avoid cases of regrettable substitution.
At Fidra, we want to see group-based legislation on chemicals so that the whole group, in this case bisphenols, is banned rather than only certain types like we have seen with BPA. Evidence demonstrates that other bisphenols, such as BPS and BPF, which are often used as an alternative where BPA is banned, have very similar properties and impacts to BPA.
