This notoriously toxic chemical, bisphenol A, has been found in thermal paper coatings for receipts, tin cans, and more. Here are some of the most common sources for BPA and how to minimise exposure to this plastic chemical in your daily life.

A few months ago, I was on the train home coming back from the city (after meeting up with a friend), and to pass the time, I thought I’d listen to one of Wellness Mama’s podcasts.

During the podcast they mentioned how (spoiler alert!) the most common source of BPA wasn’t actually canned goods, but thermal receipt paper. Who knew?

This notoriously toxic chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), is used in thermal paper coatings allowing for inkless printing on receipts.

BPA is an oestrogen-mimicking chemical (an oestrogenic). When we touch or eat things containing BPA, this chemical can enter the bloodstream and circulate around the body, triggering the oestrogen receptors in the body.

In men, this has resulted in reduced sperm count, the development of ‘man boobs’, and a shrinkage in male genitalia (penis). For more on this, see here.

According to I Quit Plastics, ‘bisphenols (used in aluminium cans) make fat cells bigger, disrupt the function of the protein that protects the heart, and are a synthetic oestrogen so can have sex-specific effects on body mass. More exposure to bisphenol, more likelihood of obesity.’

What is BPA Used for?

BPA has many different purposes, but its main use is as a chemical building block of polycarbonate plastics and of epoxy resins.

Polycarbonates are hard, clear plastics that have an almost glass-like finish. It was used in products like water bottles, baby bottles, kitchen appliance bowls, furniture, medical devices, and more. However, when it was discovered to have toxic effects on humans, it was removed from most products (to be replaced with BPS and BPF, which are just as toxic. Go figure).

Epoxy resins are used in a range of materials, like receipts and other paper, as well as paints, adhesives, and protective coatings, including clear coatings on the inside of food cans.

It’s used to protect food cans from erosion, but according to a randomised study conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, participants that ate canned soup instead of freshly made soup over the course of five days were found to have detectable levels of BPA in their urine that were 1,221% higher!

You may have noticed canned foods boasting ‘BPA-free,’ but this isn’t perfect either, as they’re often replaced with other bisphenols (BPS, BPAF, BPF, etc.) which have similar negative effects on the body, yet aren’t ‘banned.’

People who come into contact with BPA coated receipts do have a higher level of BPA in their bodies than people with average contact. So, if you work around receipts wear reusable gloves. Be weird. It’s cool.

Also, ask for no receipt, or a digital receipt, or politely avoid touching it.

The Problem with BPA

BPA, along with other plastic chemicals, has the potential to leach into foods and drinks via three pathways;

• Heat: For instance if you have a hot beverage in a plastic cup (e.g. a takeaway coffee), the plastic from that cup is going to leach into the beverage.
• Grease and fat: If you have a plastic container that’s holding something greasy, plastic is lipophilic (meaning it’s attracted to the fat) and will leach into that fat. Even face creams, body butters, and other products with a high fat content that are packaged in plastic will have this same effect happen to them.
• Duration: If something’s been sitting in plastic for a long time, the toxins will be leaching into that.

Factors like the acidity of what’s stored in the plastic/can or its temperature can affect the amount of bisphenol-A that leaches into the drink or food.

According to Wellness Mama, ‘a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) study found detectable levels of BPA in the urine of 93% of people (6 and up) who were tested. Additionally, it has been found in breastmilk and newborn babies, suggesting that it might store in the body and could potentially cross the placenta.’

As BPA is an endocrine disruptor, it may also play a part in hormone imbalance, early puberty, infertility, low sperm count, higher risk of reproductive cancers, and other hormone-related conditions.

Canada was one of the first countries to ban BPA from children’s products, with many other countries following suit. Countries like China, Denmark, Belgium, France and Austria have limited the use of BPA in food packaging.

The top three plastics you should never use, according to I Quit Plastics, are plastic numbers 3, 6, and 7. Plastic #3 include phthalates, #6 include styrene which is a known carcinogen, and #7 which are bisphenols.

Avoiding plastics altogether (or as much as possible) is one of the best ways to reduce exposure to these chemicals, but in the meantime, here are a few of the hidden sources of BPA that should be avoided to minimise exposure.

Before we get started in learning about the hidden sources of BPA, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!

The Hidden Sources of BPA

Here are some of the common sources of BPA.

Plastic Bottles

Coca Cola (Coke) consistently ranks as the number one plastic polluter year after year according to global plastic pollution data collection. Plastic water bottles are often lined with bisphenol-A. According to Onya, ‘an estimated 10 billion pounds of BPA was produced for plastic manufacturing in 2011, making it one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide.’

Receipt Paper

Thermal receipt paper is lined with BPA, which can stick to your skin and is absorbed into the bloodstream. Things like movie tickets, airline tickets, and other receipts printed on thermal paper may all have traces of BPA on them. It can be helpful to ask for no receipt, or a digital receipt, or politely avoid touching it.

Canned Foods and Beverages

BPA is often used in the lining of canned goods like vegetables, fruits, soups, and more. It is present during processes such as high-heat and sterilisation that are carried out when canning these food items, so the levels of BPA can be even higher in canned goods. Where possible, choose fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit.

Soft Drink Cans

BPA can be present in the lining of the cans. Avoid drinking soda, or make your own carbonated drinks using a SodaStream.

Kitchen Plastics

BPA can be found in many plastic items like plastic food storage containers, plates, cups, and utensils. Where possible, try and source plastic-free kitchen supplies.

Both Plastic and Paper Cups

Plastic cups are lined with bisphenol-A, but paper cups can be, too. Bring your own glass reusable mug when ordering a takeaway coffee (both your body and the planet will love you for it). 

Plastic Wrap

This common food packaging tool often contains BPA and other plastic chemicals. Instead, where possible, choose beeswax wraps (or make your own), glass storage containers, or baking paper.

Dental Sealants

Small amounts of BPA may leach from these. It can be a good idea to have a chat with your dentist about other options before having any dental work.

Coffee Pots

Many coffee pots can contain BPA. What’s more, because hot water is used inside of them, there is a higher chance of these items leaching plastic chemicals into the drink. Instead, use a glass kettle or French press for your coffee.

BPA-Free Alternatives May be Worse

BPA-free may still not solve the problem.

While BPA may be removed, they unfortunately replace it with bisphenols that might be just as harmful.

Products labelled “BPA-free” often contain alternatives like bisphenol-S (BPS) or bisphenol-F (BPF), both of which have been found to have more of an effect on the endocrine system than BPA.

Where possible, choose plastic-free, and give yourself grace. Unfortunately, we live in a world where plastic surrounds us. All you can do is your best. And that is good enough.

This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

How do you avoid BPA and plastics? Share below.

Lots of love,

Vanessa