Written by Dr. Craig Mortensen, DC, IFMCP, QME | Oct 2020, Updated August 2026
We’ve always known that BPA’s are bad, or at least some of us have. Now there is even more evidence backing us up. A new study in which subjects handled store receipts showed that BPA absorbed through the skin stays in the body much longer than ingested BPA. The study had subjects handle common store receipts for five minutes, then wear gloves for two hours before washing their hands.
BPA measurements in the subjects’ urine showed BPA levels were highest for the first TWO DAYS after handling the receipts. And remember, they only handled the receipt for 5 minutes.
After one week, three of the six volunteers still showed BPA in their urine. Some studies show that the half-life of BPA in the body is about 6 hours, but the half-life isn’t linear. It actually shows that the half-life slows down and doesn’t get detoxed as fast.
Anyway, when the subjects ate a cookie with BPA, follow-up urinalysis showed BPA levels spiked after five hours but were cleared after a day. The scientists concluded that the body can metabolize and clear ingested BPA more quickly than BPA absorbed through the skin. If you are looking on the bright side of things, I guess you can take this to mean that it’s better to use plastic to eat and drink out of than to touch it. BUT NOT REALLY!!
BPA toxicity in everyday food and beverages
BPA (bisphenol-A) is the main component of polycarbonate and is found in water and beverage bottles, plastic lids, the lining of tin cans, food storage containers, dental sealants, contact lenses, and electronics.
Store receipts aren’t the only place people come in contact with BPA. Canned foods often contain significant amounts of the chemical; the lining in a soup can can deliver 1,000 percent more BPA than fresh soup.
Plastics beverage bottles are another common source of exposure, especially if the bottle has been exposed to heat, light, or acids (such as soda).
Plastic food containers, especially if they have been heated (like in a microwave or in a hot car), are another common source. Plastic coffee lids, straws, and other plastics that come into contact with food can deliver BPA as well. And again, if those foods or liquids are exposed to heat (like coffee), you are more likely to absorb higher amounts of BPA.
BPA on store receipts
Store receipts aren’t the only source of BPA that can be absorbed through the skin. Other sources of thermal paper that contain high amounts of BPA include fast food receipts, ATM receipts, airline tickets, gas station receipts, lottery tickets, fax paper (if anyone still uses that), etc.
So ask the cashier to toss the receipt for you. Or, if they can, like in my office, have them email or text the receipt to you. That way you don’t have to touch it, and you won’t ever lose it.
Although this latest study had subjects handle the receipts for five minutes, previous studies have shown handling a receipt for just five seconds transfers BPA through your skin and into your bloodstream. Your skin absorbs ten times as much if your fingers are wet or greasy.
You can even absorb BPA from handling cash stored with receipts.
Why BPA is toxic to the body
Studies have shown BPA can be harmful to human health in several ways. It has estrogen-like properties that skew hormone balance. Also known as a xenoestrogen.
Rodent studies have shown BPA causes reproductive defects, cancer, and breakdowns in metabolic and immune health. Great stuff for your kids' health!
BPA is especially toxic to a developing fetus, raising the risk of causing chromosomal errors, miscarriage, and genetic damage.
The chemical is also linked to poor sperm quality, early puberty, reproductive dysfunction, cancer, heart disease, thyroid problems, insulin resistance, and obesity OH MY!
BPA raises the risk of triggering autoimmunity
Recent studies have also shown that BPA can both trigger and exacerbate autoimmune diseases due to its disruptive effect on the immune system. It has been linked to autoimmunity to nerve sheathes, the common target of attack in multiple sclerosis, and to Hashimoto’s thyroid autoimmune disease.
BPA-free is no guarantee
Unfortunately, products listed as “BPA-free” are not a green light either. Many non-BPA plastics also contain synthetic estrogens.
Basically what they are doing is taking BP”A” and changing it to BP”S” and calling it BPA-free. This is a load of B”p”S. It doesn’t mean a darn thing! It’s still toxic!
Since this post was originally written, research has shown that BPS (bisphenol S) and BPF (bisphenol F), the common BPA replacements, have similar or, in some cases, worse endocrine-disrupting effects than BPA itself. The science is clear: avoiding all bisphenol compounds, not just BPA, is the goal.
How to reduce your body burden of BPA
Reduce your exposure to BPA as much as possible by avoiding receipts and plastic food and beverage containers. Additionally, help buffer the damage from BPA and other toxins by eating a whole-foods diet and supplementing with nutritional compounds that support detoxification and cellular protection. I have listed a few products that can help you live a more toxin-free life and support those natural detoxification pathways.
Stainless steel water bottles
Glass water bottles
Stainless lunch food containers
Glass food storage containers
The short list of some supplements that can assist in detoxification.
Indol 3 Carbinol
And of course, make sure your digestion is working right. The last step of detoxification is elimination. If you aren’t eliminating, you aren’t detoxifying.
Don’t put up with any BP “A” or “S” BS.
I’m Dr. Craig Mortensen
Be Healthy, be happy!
For more on how plasticizers and endocrine disruptors affect hormone health, read our post on phthalates and their health effects.
Written by Dr. Craig Mortensen, DC, IFMCP, QME, IFM-Certified Functional Medicine Physician and founder of Premier IFM in Placentia, CA, serving patients throughout Orange County and Southern California.
