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6 Years in a Row
Top rated, 2003-2008

At EWG,our teamof scientists,engineers,policy experts, lawyers and =20
computerprogrammers pores over government data, legal documents, =20
scientific studies and our own laboratory tests to expose threats to =20
your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Our research =20
brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.
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EWG RESEARCH




Synthetic estrogen BPA coats cash register receipts
EWG-COMMISSIONED LAB TESTS FIND BPA-LADEN RECEIPTS FROM BIG NATIONAL =20
RETAILERS
Update: see report on green chemistry pioneer John Warner's new =20
research on BPA in receipts here.

1661
Share
by Sonya Lunder, Senior Analyst; David Andrews, Senior Scientist; and =20=

Jane Houlihan, Senior VP for Research
The plastic component bisphenol A (BPA) has been in the headlines =20
nonstop as scientists, health experts and consumers press for a =20
federal ban on food packaging made with this synthetic estrogen, shown =20=

to leach readily into infant formula, beverages and canned food. But =20
most Americans are probably unaware that they are regularly exposed to =20=

the same endocrine-disrupting chemical in cash register receipts.
Two-fifths of the paper receipts tested by a major laboratory =20
commissioned by Environmental Working Group were on heat-activated =20
paper that was between 0.8 to nearly 3 percent pure BPA by weight. =20
Wipe tests conducted with a damp laboratory paper easily picked up a =20
portion of the receipts' BPA coating, indicating that the chemical =20
would likely stick to the skin of anyone who handled them. The =20
receipts came from major retailers, grocery stores, convenience =20
stores, gas stations, fast-food restaurants, post offices and =20
automatic teller machines (ATMs).
Major retailers using BPA-containing receipts in at least some outlets =20=

included McDonald's, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway and the =20
U.S. Postal Service. Receipts from some major chains, including =20
Target, Starbucks and Bank of America ATMs, issued receipts that were =20=

BPA-free or contained only trace amounts.
Scientists have not determined how much of a receipt's BPA coating can =20=

transfer to the skin and from there into the body. Possibilities being =20=

explored include:
Oral exposure -- BPA moves from receipts onto fingers and then onto =20
food and into the mouth.
Dermal exposure -- BPA from receipts is directly absorbed through the =20=

skin into the body.
A study published July 11 by Swiss scientists found that BPA transfers =20=

readily from receipts to skin and can penetrate the skin to such a =20
depth that it cannot be washed off (Biedermann 2010). This raises the =20=

possibility that the chemical infiltrates the skin's lower layers to =20
enter the bloodstream directly. BPA has also been shown to penetrate =20
skin in laboratory studies (Kaddar 2008).
EWG collected 36 receipts and commissioned the University of Missouri =20=

Division of Biological Sciences laboratory to investigate their BPA =20
content. This laboratory is considered one of the world's foremost =20
research facilities in its capability to detect environmentally =20
relevant BPA concentrations.
The Missouri scientists found that the total mass of BPA on a receipt =20=

is 250 to 1,000 times greater than the amount of BPA typically found =20
in a can of food or a can of baby formula, or that which leaches from =20=

a BPA-based plastic baby bottle into its contents. These data should =20
not be interpreted to suggest that policymakers shift their focus from =20=

BPA contamination of food, which is widespread, to receipts. BPA =20
exposure from food sources is ubiquitous and should remain the first =20
priority of U.S. policymakers. However, a significant portion of the =20
public may also be exposed to BPA by handling receipts. Since many =20
retailers do not use BPA-laden thermal paper, this particular route of =20=

exposure is easy to correct.
Biomonitoring surveys by the federal Centers for Disease Control and =20
Prevention have found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of Americans =20
over age 6. EWG analysis of CDC data has found that people who =20
reported working in retail industries had 30 percent more BPA in their =20=

bodies than the average U.S. adult, and 34 percent more BPA than other =20=

workers. (CDC 2004). As of May 2009, 1 in 17 working Americans -- 7 =20
million people -- were employed as retail salespersons and cashiers, =20
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
EWG's biomonitoring study of minority newborns, published last =20
December, found BPA in 9 of 10 samples, marking the first detections =20
of the chemical in the cord blood of U.S. infants. EWG has published a =20=

Safe Baby Bottle and Formula Guide to help parents of infants avoid =20
BPA and other harmful substances during this critical window of =20
development.
In animal tests, scientists have produced evidence that BPA can induce =20=

abnormal reproductive system development, diminished intellectual =20
capacity and behavioral abnormalities and can set the stage for other =20=

serious conditions, such as reproductive system cancer, obesity, =20
diabetes, early puberty, resistance to chemotherapy, asthma and =20
cardiovascular system disorders. It has caused epigenetic changes, =20
meaning alterations in the way genes switch off and on and genetic =20
changes that can be passed on to the next generations.
Frequent exposures to relatively large amounts of BPA in receipts are =20=

an obvious concern to every shopper, but even more so to the legions =20
of people who staff cash registers and bag groceries at tens of =20
thousands of retailers across the country. These workers handle BPA-=20
loaded receipts hundreds of times a day, with as yet unknown =20
consequences for their health (Biedermann et al 2010). According to =20
the U.S. Department of Labor=92sBureau of Labor Statistics, as of May =20=

2009, the two largest U.S. occupations were =93retail salespersons=94 =
and =20
=93cashiers,=94 with more than 7 million Americans in those jobs.
Retail workers carry an average of 30 percent more BPA in their bodies =20=

than other adults, It is unclear how much BPA-coated receipts =20
contribute to people's total exposure to the ubiquitous plastics =20
chemical. What is certain, however, is that since many retail outlets =20=

already use BPA-free paper for their receipts, this is one source of =20
contamination that could easily be eliminated completely.
Thermal paper is widely used for point-of-sale receipts, prescription =20=

labels, airline tickets and lottery tickets. Thermal printers use =20
paper that is coated with a dye and developer (BPA or an alternative =20
chemical). Heat from the thermal printing head triggers a reaction =20
between the dye and developer, allowing the black print to appear.
In an effort to quantify how much BPA would transfer to a person=92s =20
hand, the laboratory performed wipe tests on four BPA-laden receipts. =20=

In all four cases, BPA transferred from the receipts to the wipes. An =20=

average of 2.4 percent of the receipts=92 total BPA content wiped off, =20=

suggesting that a person who handled receipts would be exposed to some =20=

BPA in the thermal paper. There have been no published studies of BPA =20=

residues inside pockets, purses and wallets, on wet produce in grocery =20=

bags or on the hands of people after they crumpled and discarded a =20
receipt.
Since 60 percent of the receipts EWG collected did not have =20
significant levels of BPA, it is apparent that many retailers are =20
using alternatives. The leading U.S. thermal paper maker, Wisconsin-=20
based Appleton Papers Inc., no longer incorporates BPA in any of its =20
thermal papers (Raloff 2009). Reacting to concerns about the toxicity =20=

of BPA, the Japan Paper Association began to halt the use of BPA in =20
1998, completing the phase-out by 2003 (AIST 2007). EWG's analysis of =20=

three receipts collected in Japan at KFC, McDonald's and Starbucks =20
found only trace amounts of BPA. In addition, 11 of 13 U.S.-based =20
retailers whose receipts EWG tested used non-BPA paper in at least one =20=

outlet.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a program =20=

to evaluate the safety and availability of alternatives to BPA in =20
thermal paper (EPA 2010).
EWG urges retailers to use BPA-free paper and to consider paperless =20
options such as emailed electronic receipts. These measures could =20
greatly reduce the volume of BPA disseminated by the retail industry =20
and save paper in the bargain. Retailers should make public the =20
identity of any chemicals used in the alternative they select. Very =20
little information is publicly available on the now-common BPA =20
alternatives for thermal receipts.
TIPS TO REDUCE EXPOSURES TO BPA IN RECEIPTS
Minimize receipt collection by declining receipts at gas pumps, ATMs =20
and other machines when possible.
Store receipts separately in an envelope in a wallet or purse.
Never give a child a receipt to hold or play with.
After handling a receipt, wash hands before preparing and eating food =20=

(a universally recommended practice even for those who have not =20
handled receipts).
Do not use alcohol-based hand cleaners after handling receipts. A =20
recent study showed that these products can increase the skin's BPA =20
absorption (Biedermann 2010).
Take advantage of store services that email or archive paperless =20
purchase records.
Do not recycle receipts and other thermal paper. BPA residues from =20
receipts will contaminate recycled paper.
If you are unsure, check whether paper is thermally treated by rubbing =20=

it with a coin. Thermal paper discolors with the friction; =20
conventional paper does not.
Methodology and Findings. EWG collected 36 receipts from retailers in =20=

seven states and the District of Columbia:
Ten national retail and service chains, including Walmart, Chevron and =20=

McDonald's;
Three government establishments - the U.S. Postal Service and the =20
cafeterias in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate; and
One local supermarket in Colorado.
We contracted with the analytical laboratory at the University of =20
Missouri-Columbia's Division of Biological Sciences to perform the =20
analysis. The laboratory weighed, measured and photographed the =20
receipts, dissolved them in an alcohol, then analyzed them for BPA =20
using a sensitive, standard BPA test method (High-Performance Liquid =20
Chromatography (HPLC) with CoulArray detection).
The laboratory detected substantial amounts of BPA on 16 of 36 =20
receipts at an average amount of 1.9 percent by weight, and a range of =20=

0.8 to 2.8 percent (Table 1).
TABLE 1. TEST RESULTS - BPA IN STORE RECEIPTS
Establishment where receipt was obtained	Location	Total =
mass of BPA on =20
receipt (milligrams)	Size of receipt (square centimeters)	Mass of =
BPA =20
relative to mass of receipt	Mass of BPA relative to surface area of =20=

receipt (micrograms of BPA per square centimeter)	Percent of BPA =
that =20
rubbed off of receipt onto wet wipe
U.S. retailers
National Supermarkets	Safeway	Berkeley, CA	20.7	1,006	2.8%	=
35.9=09
Boulder, CO	20.6	1,575	1.8%	14.9	3.80%
Washington, DC	41.0	2,671	2.1%	10.1=09
Whole Foods	Superior, CO	10.8	902	1.8%	25.7	0.71%
Portland, OR	0.0005	1,911	0.0%	0.00=09
Gas station	Chevron	Berkeley, CA	0.0084	456	0.002%	0.06	=
*
Portland, OR	4.89	382	1.6%	52.9=09
Stafford, VA	2.98	400	0.8%	27.3=09
Pharmacy	CVS	Sacramento, CA	0.0008	1,258	0.0%	0.00=09
Clinton, CT	0.0009	882	0.0%	0.00=09
Kensington, MD	28.8	2,294	1.7%	9.68=09
Food	Starbucks	Boulder, CO	0.0000*	739	0.0%	0.00	=
*
Ames, IA	0.0206	805	0.003%	0.05=09
Wheaton, MD	0.0208	938	0.003%	0.04=09
Portland, OR	0.0164	739	0.003%	0.05=09
KFC	Boulder, CO	9.36	591	2.2%	48.6	2.88%
Ames, IA	0.0001*	498	0.0%	0.00=09
Wheaton, MD	10.64	836	1.7%	27.0=09
McDonalds	Superior, CO	0.0002	724	0.0%	0.00	*
Clinton, CT	13.3	703	2.7%	48.9=09
Washington, DC	9.07	739	1.4%	25.0=09
Superstores	Target	Albany, CA	ND	765	ND	ND=09
Superior, CO	0.0001*	617	0.0%	0.00=09
Wheaton, MD	ND	1,126	ND	ND	*
Walmart	Ames, IA	0.0001*	2,069	0.0%	0.00	*
Portland, OR	0.0003	1,325	0.0%	0.00=09
Stafford, VA	16.3	1,091	2.1%	25.2=09
Banks	Bank of America	Berkeley, CA	ND	805	ND	ND=09
Clinton, CT	ND	954	ND	ND=09
Wheaton, MD	ND	765	ND	ND=09
Local supermarket	Sunflower Farmers Market	Boulder, CO	=
0.145	994	=20
0.017%	0.22=09
Government establishments
U.S. Postal Service	Boulder, CO	23.6	1,600	2.0%	16.4	=
2.21%
Clinton, CT	22.7	1,539	2.0%	17.0=09
Washington, DC	16.6	1,249	1.9%	19.1=09
U.S. House of Representatives Cafeteria	Washington, DC	5.42	494	=
1.3%	=20
32.8=09
U.S. Senate Cafeteria	Washington, DC	0.00	540	0.0%	0.00=09
Retailers in Japan
Kentucky Fried Chicken	Sendai, Japan	0.0014	570	0.0%	0.01=09
McDonalds	Sendai, Japan	ND	352	ND	ND=09
Starbucks	Sendai, Japan	ND	826	ND	ND=09

Source: EWG compilation of BPA test results from the University of =20
Missouri Division of Biological Sciences Laboratory, for receipts =20
collected by EWG.
* Only trace BPA levels were detected on wipe samples of receipts not =20=

coated with BPA.
Safeway supermarket receipts had the highest levels by several =20
measures. Safeway receipts had 3 of the top 6 highest overall BPA =20
levels. A store in the District of Columbia had the greatest total =20
estimated mass of BPA (41 milligrams). A Berkeley, CA Safeway had the =20=

highest concentration of BPA relative to the paper mass (2.8 percent =20
of the receipt weight). Safeway was one of two retailers that had =20
detectable BPA in all three store locations sampled.
The receipt for a McDonald's Happy Meal=99 purchased in Clinton, Conn. =20=

on April 21, 2010 had an estimated 13 milligrams of BPA. That equals =20
the amount of BPA in 126 cans of Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef =20
Ravioli in Hearty Tomato & Meat Sauce, one of the products with the =20
highest concentrations of BPA in EWG's 2007 tests of canned foods (EWG =20=

2007).

Source: BPA test results from the University of Missouri Division of =20
Biological Sciences Laboratory, for receipts collected by EWG.
* BPA at trace level or not detected.
EWG also collected receipts from stores and bank ATMs in three or four =20=

cities for each of the ten national retail and service chains sampled. =20=

Analysis of the laboratory tests found that of the 10 stores and bank =20=

ATMs:
One, Safeway, issued BPA-containing receipts in all cities.
Six issued a BPA-laden receipt in at least one, but not all, outlets - =20=

CVS, Walmart, KFC, Whole Foods, Chevron, and McDonald's - indicating =20
that these retailers use BPA-free receipts at some outlets.
Three provided receipts that were BPA-free or contained only trace =20
amounts at all locations - Bank of America, Target and Starbucks.
EWG also collected receipts from post offices and government =20
cafeterias. All receipts from the U.S. Postal Service contained BPA. A =20=

receipt from the U.S. House of Representatives cafeteria contained =20
BPA, while a receipt from the U.S. Senate cafeteria did not.
The laboratory performed four wipe samples on four BPA-laden receipts =20=

- 0.7-to-3.8 percent of the BPA detected on the receipt easily wiped =20
off onto a lightly moistened, BPA-free laboratory paper, with an =20
average of 2.4 percent wiping off.
EWG also collected receipts from three retailers in Japan, at KFC, =20
Starbucks and McDonald's outlets in the city of Sendai. None contained =20=

BPA above trace levels. In our U.S. samples, KFC and McDonald's issued =20=

BPA-containing receipts in at least one location.
Sources of Americans' exposures to BPA. BPA exposure is ubiquitous in =20=

the U.S. population. The CDC's National Biomonitoring Program found =20
the chemical in the urine of 93 percent of Americans age six and older =20=

(Calafat 2008).
Researchers have considered BPA contamination of canned foods and =20
beverages to be the primary sources of exposure in most populations, =20
especially for infants and children.
In 2007, Environmental Working Group published a ground-breaking =20
study  documenting that BPA had leached from epoxy can linings into =20
more than half the canned foods, beverages and canned liquid infant =20
formula randomly purchased at supermarkets around the country.  In the =20=

absence of any U.S. regulation on BPA contamination of food, EWG has =20
published an online guide to baby-safe bottles and formula.
However, a recent study suggests that other sources may also be =20
important (Stahlhut 2009). These researchers measured urinary levels =20
of BPA in 1,469 adults after variable periods of fasting. They =20
expected BPA levels in urine to fall rapidly in the absence of new =20
food exposures, since the chemical is excreted very quickly from the =20
body. Instead, BPA levels dropped only slowly, leading them to =20
theorize that BPA from sources other than food may be significant, or, =20=

alternatively, that BPA may be stored in human fat and released slowly =20=

and constantly into the body.
EWG assessed CDC biomonitoring data from Americans tested between 2003 =20=

and 2004 to learn if retail workers carry higher amounts of BPA in =20
their bodies than other adults. CDC provided employment information =20
for 916 of 1,862 adults tested. EWG analysis found that the 195 people =20=

who reported working in retail industries had 28 percent more BPA in =20
their bodies than the average U.S. adult, and 34 percent more BPA than =20=

other workers. EWG also found that four of the five occupations with =20
the highest BPA measurements may come in contact with receipts, =20
including those in retail department stores, communications, retail =20
food stores, and eating and drinking establishments (Table 2).
Table 2. CDC biomonitoring studies indicate that retail workers are =20
exposed to more BPA than other adults
Population tested	Number of people tested	Geometric mean =
concentration =20
of BPA (ug/L)
Male (age 18 and above)	801	2.7
Female (age 18 and above)	864	2.3
All adults (age 18 and above)	1,665	2.5
All workers	916	2.5
Non-retail workers	721	2.4
Retail workers*	195	3.2
Source. EWG analysis of CDC biomonitoring data from samples collected =20=

from 2003-2004 (CDC 2004).
* Retail workers include people designated in CDC employment groups =20
23-28 (CDC 2004).
EWG recommends that retailers switch to non-BPA receipt technologies =20
immediately to help reduce their employees' BPA exposures.
REFERENCES
AIST. 2007. Risk ASsessment Document Series No. 4: Bisphenol A. =20
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology =20
(AIST), November 2007. AIST07-A00001-4.
Biedermann S, Tschudin P, Grob K. 2010. Transfer of bisphenol A from =20
thermal printer paper to the skin. Anal Bioanal Chem. Published =20
online: July 11, 2010.
Calafat AM, Ye X, Wong LY, Reidy JA, Needham LL. 2008. Exposure of the =20=

U.S. population to bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-octylphenol: 2003-2004. =20=

Environmental Health Perspectives 116(1): 39-44.
CDC 2004. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data =20
2003-2004. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for =20
Disease Control andPrevention: National Centre for Health Statistics =20
(NCHS). Hyattsville, MD, =
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes2003-2004/nhanes03_04.htm
EWG. 2007. Bisphenol A: Toxic plastics chemical in canned foods. =20
Environmental Working Group, March =
2007.http://ewg.org/reports/bisphenola
EWG. 2009. Body Burden: the Pollution in Minority Newborns. =20
Environmental Working Group, March =
2007.http://ewg.org/minoritycordblood/BPA-cordbloodpollution
EPA. 2010. BPA Alternatives in Thermal Paper Partnership. U.S. =20
Environmental Protection Agency, Design for the Environment. =20
Washington DC. http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/bpa/index.htm
Kaddar N, Harth=E9 C, D=E9chaud H, Mappus E, Pugeat M. 2008. Cuteanous =20=

Penetration of Bisphenol A in Pig Skin. Journal of Toxicology and =20
Environmental Health, Part A. 71(8):471-73.
LaKind JS, Naiman DQ. 2010. Daily intake of bisphenol A and potential =20=

sources of exposure: 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition =20
Examination Survey. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental =20
Epidemiology:1-8
Raloff J. 2009. Concern about BPA: Check your receipts. Science News. =20=

October 7, =
2009.http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48084/title/Science_%2B_th=
e_Public__=20
  Concerned_about_BPA_Check_your_receipts
Stahlhut RW, Welshons WV, Swan SH. 2009. Bisphenol A data in NHANES =20
suggest longer that expected half-life, substantial nonfood exposure, =20=

or both. Environmental Health Perspectives 117(5): 784-89.
APPENDIX - LABORATORY METHODOLOGY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE / QUALITY =20
CONTROL PROCEDURES
Laboratory Methodology - EWG staff collected receipts in seven U.S. =20
states -- California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Oregon =20
and Virginia -- and the District of Columbia.
Samplers wore clean, powder-free nitrile gloves (Dynarex). They =20
received the receipt from the cashier and held it gently between two =20
fingers. Once away from the cashier, samplers rolled the receipts with =20=

minimal handling and placed them into clean polyurethane 50 mL tubes =20
(Fischer Scientific). They noted the time, date, location, items =20
purchased, temperature and humidity as well as the location where =20
receipts were rolled and tubed. ATM and gas station receipts were =20
collected directly from the machines in most cases.
EWG sent receipts to a laboratory at University of Missouri-Columbia, =20=

Division of Biological Sciences in Columbia, Mo. The laboratory =20
weighed, measured and photographed the receipts, analyzed for BPA and =20=

screened for bisphenol B, bisphenol S and bisphenol F, using high-=20
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with CoulArray detection. The =20=

standard curve in our assay ranges from 0.05 -4 nanograms per HPLC =20
run. Four receipts that had values below and above the range of the =20
standard curve are considered to be outside the limit of quantitation =20=

of the assay. These estimated values were different from five samples =20=

labeled as "non-detectable (ND)," in which there was no evidence of BPA.
Digestion analysis: Lengths of receipt weighing 200 mg each were cut =20
and placed in a glass tube. No attempt was made to control for the =20
amount of printing on the receipt. The receipts were incubated in =20
methanol (15 ml, to cover the receipt) for 3 hours at room =20
temperature, with occasional agitation. The methanol was then poured =20
into clean glass tubes and diluted for analysis.
Migration analysis : EWG selected 9 of the collected receipts for =20
migration analysis. For these, a piece of lab wipe (KimWipe) was =20
lightly dampened with methanol and wiped in a zigzag fashion across =20
the top (printed) surface of a 5 cm by 5 cm piece of receipt. This =20
wipe was then soaked in methanol for 3 hours at room temperature, and =20=

the methanol then decanted and analyzed for BPA.
QUALITY ASSURANCE / QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES
The laboratory found no detectable BPA on sampling materials, =20
including KimWipes, gloves and shipping tubes.
The laboratory assessed recoveries of BPA from paper by spiking a =20
piece of filter paper approximately 8-by-8 centimeters with BPA and =20
soaking it in methanol, as described for the sales receipts. This =20
method only approximates BPA recovery from receipts since the paper =20
and coating matrices are different.
The laboratory also analyzed samples with added BPA to determine =20
whether the sample extract quenches or augments BPA measurements. =20
Recoveries in positive controls averaged 92 percent. Sample data =20
values presented in this study are not corrected for recovery.
The laboratory did not detect BPB, BPF and BPS in the receipts tested. =20=

Unidentified peaks were seen in some receipt samples that did not =20
contain BPA. Some of these appeared to reflect high concentrations.




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padding-left: 10px; display: block; ">home</a></li><li class=3D"" =
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margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; position: relative; "><a =
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padding-left: 10px; display: block; ">health/toxics</a></li><li class=3D""=
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normal 17px/1em Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; width: 150px; =
padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 10px; display: block; ">farming</a></li><li class=3D"" =
style=3D"z-index: 100; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; position: relative; "><a =
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normal 17px/1em Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; width: 150px; =
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padding-left: 10px; display: block; ">natural resources</a></li><li =
style=3D"z-index: 100; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
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href=3D"http://www.ewg.org/energychoices" class=3D"leftNav" id=3D"link228"=
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padding-left: 10px; display: block; ">energy choices</a></li><li =
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normal 17px/1em Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; width: 150px; =
padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 10px; display: block; ">chemical index</a></li><li =
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href=3D"http://www.ewg.org/Health-Tips" class=3D"leftNav" id=3D"link93" =
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padding-left: 10px; display: block; ">health tips</a></li><li =
style=3D"z-index: 100; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
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rgb(255, 255, 255); ">find something</a></h3><input type=3D"text" =
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padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1em; ">6 Years =
in a Row</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; =
line-height: 1em; ">Top rated, 2003-2008</div><div align=3D"center"><a =
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0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: =
1.1em; "><big style=3D"font-size: 1.11em; "><big style=3D"font-size: =
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none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " height=3D"20" =
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none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " height=3D"20" =
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0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; =
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none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " height=3D"20" =
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class=3D"contenttag" style=3D"color: rgb(51, 102, 255); padding-top: =
4px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; =
margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: =
0px; font: normal normal normal 0.95em/1em tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', =
sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; ">EWG =
RESEARCH</p></div><br class=3D"clear" style=3D"clear: both; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; =
padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; "></div><div id=3D"reportContentWrap" style=3D"padding-top: 0px; =
padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px; position: =
relative; "><h2 style=3D"font: normal normal normal 2em/1em Georgia, =
'Times New Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); margin-top: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "></h2><br><div style=3D"color: =
rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: =
10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><img alt=3D"BPA in Store =
Receipts" style=3D"border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; =
border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; =
border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
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0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; =
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none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " height=3D"105" =
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src=3D"cid:9C43E1EC-3CB9-4A8C-A05D-E5999B82D2B4@eau.wi.charter.com"></div>=
<h2 style=3D"font: normal normal normal 2em/1em Georgia, 'Times New =
Roman', Times, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 102); margin-top: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; ">Synthetic estrogen BPA coats =
cash register receipts</h2><h4 style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 102); =
margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; =
">EWG-COMMISSIONED LAB TESTS FIND BPA-LADEN RECEIPTS FROM BIG NATIONAL =
RETAILERS</h4><div style=3D"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 153); =
padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: =
5px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; =
border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: =
dashed; border-right-style: dashed; border-bottom-style: dashed; =
border-left-style: dashed; border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 10px; ">Update: see report =
on green chemistry pioneer&nbsp;<strong><a =
href=3D"http://www.ewg.org/new-study-confirms-BPA-exposures-from-receipts"=
 style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">John Warner's new research on BPA in =
receipts here</a></strong>.</div><p style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
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padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style=3D"float: right; padding-left: =
10px; clear: both; "><iframe =
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rgb(135, 154, 192); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: =
1px; border-bottom-color: rgb(26, 53, 110); color: rgb(255, 255, 255); =
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initial; background-repeat: initial initial; =
">Share</span></span></span></a><p style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p></div></div><p style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, =
0); padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; "><i>by Sonya Lunder, Senior Analyst; David =
Andrews, Senior Scientist; and Jane Houlihan, Senior VP for =
Research</i></div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The =
plastic component bisphenol A (BPA) has been in the headlines nonstop as =
scientists, health experts and consumers press for a federal ban on food =
packaging made with this synthetic estrogen, shown to leach readily into =
infant formula, beverages and canned food. But most Americans are =
probably unaware that they are regularly exposed to the same =
endocrine-disrupting chemical in cash register receipts.</div><div =
style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; =
padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Two-fifths of the paper =
receipts tested by a major laboratory commissioned by Environmental =
Working Group were on heat-activated paper that was between 0.8 to =
nearly 3 percent pure BPA by weight. Wipe tests conducted with a damp =
laboratory paper easily picked up a portion of the receipts' BPA =
coating, indicating that the chemical would likely stick to the skin of =
anyone who handled them. The receipts came from major retailers, grocery =
stores, convenience stores, gas stations, fast-food restaurants, post =
offices and automatic teller machines (ATMs).</div><div style=3D"color: =
rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: =
10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Major retailers using =
BPA-containing receipts in at least some outlets included McDonald's, =
CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway and the U.S. Postal Service. =
Receipts from some major chains, including Target, Starbucks and Bank of =
America ATMs, issued receipts that were BPA-free or contained only trace =
amounts.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; =
">Scientists have not determined how much of a receipt's BPA coating can =
transfer to the skin and from there into the body. Possibilities being =
explored include:</div><ul><li>Oral exposure -- BPA moves from receipts =
onto fingers and then onto food and into the mouth.</li><li>Dermal =
exposure -- BPA from receipts is directly absorbed through the skin into =
the body.</li></ul><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; =
">A&nbsp;<a href=3D"http://www.springerlink.com/content/d5j507113141120h/"=
 style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">study published July 11 by Swiss =
scientists</a>&nbsp;found that BPA transfers readily from receipts to =
skin and can penetrate the skin to such a depth that it cannot be washed =
off (Biedermann 2010). This raises the possibility that the chemical =
infiltrates the skin's lower layers to enter the bloodstream directly. =
BPA has also been shown to penetrate skin in laboratory studies (Kaddar =
2008).</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">EWG =
collected 36 receipts and commissioned the University of Missouri =
Division of Biological Sciences laboratory to investigate their BPA =
content. This laboratory is considered one of the world's foremost =
research facilities in its capability to detect environmentally relevant =
BPA concentrations.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: =
3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; =
margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: =
0px; ">The Missouri scientists found that the total mass of BPA on a =
receipt is 250 to 1,000 times greater than the amount of BPA typically =
found in a can of food or a can of baby formula, or that which leaches =
from a BPA-based plastic baby bottle into its contents. These data =
should not be interpreted to suggest that policymakers shift their focus =
from BPA contamination of food, which is widespread, to receipts. BPA =
exposure from food sources is ubiquitous and should remain the first =
priority of U.S. policymakers. However, a significant portion of the =
public may also be exposed to BPA by handling receipts. Since many =
retailers do not use BPA-laden thermal paper, this particular route of =
exposure is easy to correct.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Biomonitoring surveys by the&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/BisphenolA_FactSheet.html" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">federal Centers for Disease Control and =
Prevention</a>&nbsp;have found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of =
Americans over age 6. EWG analysis of&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes2003-2004/nhanes03_04.htm" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">CDC data</a>&nbsp;has found that people who =
reported working in retail industries had 30 percent more BPA in their =
bodies than the average U.S. adult, and 34 percent more BPA than other =
workers. (CDC 2004). As of May 2009, 1 in 17 working Americans -- 7 =
million people -- were employed as retail salespersons and cashiers, =
according to the&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://www.bls.gov/oes/highlight_2009.htm" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>.</div><div =
style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; =
padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">EWG's biomonitoring study =
of&nbsp;<a href=3D"http://www.ewg.org/minoritycordblood/pressrelease" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">minority newborns</a>, published last =
December, found BPA in 9 of 10 samples, marking the first detections of =
the chemical in the cord blood of U.S. infants. EWG has published =
a&nbsp;<a href=3D"http://www.ewg.org/babysafebottles" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">Safe Baby Bottle and Formula =
Guide</a>&nbsp;to help parents of infants avoid BPA and other harmful =
substances during this critical window of development.</div><div =
style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; =
padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: =
0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><a =
href=3D"http://www.niehs.nih.gov/recovery/critical/bpa.cfm" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">In animal tests, scientists have produced =
evidence that BPA can induce</a>&nbsp;abnormal reproductive system =
development, diminished intellectual capacity and behavioral =
abnormalities and can set the stage for other serious conditions, such =
as reproductive system cancer, obesity, diabetes, early puberty, =
resistance to chemotherapy, asthma and cardiovascular system disorders. =
It has caused epigenetic changes, meaning alterations in the way genes =
switch off and on and genetic changes that can be passed on to the next =
generations.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Frequent =
exposures to relatively large amounts of BPA in receipts are an obvious =
concern to every shopper, but even more so to the legions of people who =
staff cash registers and bag groceries 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 =
(Biedermann et al 2010). According to the U.S. Department of Labor=92s<a =
href=3D"http://www.bls.gov/oes/highlight_2009.htm" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, as of May =
2009, the two largest U.S. occupations were =93retail salespersons=94 =
and =93cashiers,=94 with more than 7 million Americans in those =
jobs.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Retail =
workers carry an average of 30 percent more BPA in their bodies than =
other adults, It is unclear how much BPA-coated receipts contribute to =
people's total exposure to the ubiquitous plastics chemical. What is =
certain, however, is that since many retail outlets already use BPA-free =
paper for their receipts, this is one source of contamination that could =
easily be eliminated completely.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Thermal paper is widely used for point-of-sale =
receipts, prescription labels, airline tickets and lottery tickets. =
Thermal printers use paper that is coated with a dye and developer (BPA =
or an alternative chemical). Heat from the thermal printing head =
triggers a reaction between the dye and developer, allowing the black =
print to appear.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: =
3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; =
margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: =
0px; ">In an effort to quantify how much BPA would transfer to a =
person=92s hand, the laboratory performed wipe tests on four BPA-laden =
receipts. In all four cases, BPA transferred from the receipts to the =
wipes. An average of 2.4 percent of the receipts=92 total BPA content =
wiped off, suggesting that a person who handled receipts would be =
exposed to some BPA in the thermal paper. There have been no published =
studies of BPA residues inside pockets, purses and wallets, on wet =
produce in grocery bags or on the hands of people after they crumpled =
and discarded a receipt.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); =
padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; =
padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: =
0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Since 60 percent of the receipts EWG collected =
did not have significant levels of BPA, it is apparent that many =
retailers are using alternatives. The leading U.S. thermal paper maker, =
Wisconsin-based Appleton Papers Inc., no longer incorporates BPA in any =
of its thermal papers (Raloff 2009). Reacting to concerns about the =
toxicity of BPA, the Japan Paper Association began to halt the use of =
BPA in 1998, completing the phase-out by 2003 (AIST 2007). EWG's =
analysis of three receipts collected in Japan at KFC, McDonald's and =
Starbucks found only trace amounts of BPA. In addition, 11 of 13 =
U.S.-based retailers whose receipts EWG tested used non-BPA paper in at =
least one outlet.</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: =
3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; =
margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: =
0px; "><a href=3D"http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/bpa/index.htm" =
style=3D"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); position: =
relative; font-size: 1em; ">The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency =
(EPA) has initiated a program</a>&nbsp;to evaluate the safety and =
availability of alternatives to BPA in thermal paper (EPA =
2010).</div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 3px; =
padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: =
0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">EWG =
urges retailers to use BPA-free paper and to consider paperless options =
such as emailed electronic receipts. These measures could greatly reduce =
