On The Money
A 2010 study of BPA in dollar bills and receipts
BPA in Dollar Bills and Receipts
A 2010 study by Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer Chemicals Healthy Families (now both known as Toxic-Free Future)
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical of concern mainly associated with baby bottles and food containers. However, our research has discovered a new source of BPA exposure from items people handle every day- cash register receipts and money.
On The Money investigated the extent to which thermal receipt paper containing BPA has permeated the market, and whether this hormone-disrupting chemical is escaping onto the money that lies close to these receipts in people’s wallets. Our research found roughly half of cash register receipts contain BPA, and almost all paper currency was contaminated with the chemical. This study also indicates that skin absorption from thermal paper receipts with unbound BPA may lead to exposure at levels equivalent to exposure from food sources.
- Read the Press Release
- Read the Executive Summary (PDF)
- Read the Full Report (PDF 1.8 MB)
You can also check out our list of tips to minimize BPA exposure (PDF).