Skip The Receipt In Texas, Some May Be Way Toxic

When asked if you want a receipt in El Paso, or elsewhere in Texas, you should probably pass. Several retailers are in hot water over using toxic chemicals in them.

Receipts can be short and sweet ... price, tax, total ... some can be longer with extras like a survey or a coupon and some are just ridiculously loaded with info that nobody cares about. CVS ... looking at you.

You probably throw most of them away anyway, now here comes another reason to not accept them ... deadly chemicals your skin will absorb in seconds.

Not everybody goes nuts with the receipts, some places actually still write them out by hand. Several retailers, all over the USA, now have legal action pending against them for having high levels of toxic chemicals in their receipts.

What Toxic Chemicals Are In Receipts?

Bisphenol S has been linked to cancer and reproductive problems. Some use BPS as an alternative but it turns out to be just as bad if not worse. The Guardian says it's been linked to hormone disruption, cognitive damage, decreased sperm count, breast cancer and other health issues.

Whose Receipts Are Toxic?

Companies threatened with legal action for using toxic receipt chemicals include Burger King, Dollar General, AMC Theaters, Chanel, GameStop, Subway, Foot Locker and Ace Hardware.

How Can You Spot A Toxic Receipt?

I don't believe there is a way. Unless the store posts a notice that they use different chemicals to treat their receipts, it's a guessing game. The proposed legal action would force businesses to either find a safer alternative ... like Vitamin C, believe it or not ... or post warnings.

The safest way to play it is to just skip the receipt. Ask for an electronic one or just refer to your bank or credit card statements.

Holding a tainted receipt for as little as 10 seconds can allow your fingers to absorb these chemicals. This is concerning in general ... now, imagine all the cashiers, waitstaff, etc who handle dozens, if not hundreds, of receipts daily. Scary.