As the festive shopping season gets into full swing, a prominent health expert is issuing a stark warning to anyone who automatically asks for a paper receipt. The seemingly harmless slip of paper could pose unexpected health risks, according to a leading longevity doctor.
The Hidden Danger in Your Hand
Dr. Sabine Donnai, a longevity specialist and founder of the Viavi health clinic, has stated that she deliberately avoids touching receipts. Appearing on the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast, she explained that many paper receipts, particularly in the United States, are coated with a chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA).
This substance is known as an endocrine disruptor. Dr. Donnai used a simple analogy to describe its effect: "You produce a hormone... it's almost like a key that needs to get into a key lock to open a door. What these chemicals often do is they block these receptors. So you might have sufficient hormones, but they actually can't be activated."
The consequences are significant. Research has linked BPA exposure to disrupted female hormones, lowered testosterone in men, and potential fertility problems. Dr. Donnai pointed to studies of people who frequently handle receipts, noting they have been found to have "very low levels of testosterone" and issues with infertility.
A Problem Closer to Home Than You Think
The situation in the US appears particularly acute. Ground-breaking research in 2025 found that some receipts in California contained such high levels of BPA that holding one for just 10 seconds could transfer enough of the chemical through the skin to violate the state's safety code. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) identified several major food and clothing retailers whose receipts breached the rules.
While the UK banned BPA in receipt paper in 2020, this doesn't mean the problem has been entirely solved. Many manufacturers have simply switched to a similar chemical called Bisphenol-S (BPS). Some health experts warn that BPS could pose nearly identical risks to human health. However, some British retailers, like the Co-op, have proactively removed all such chemicals from their receipts.
How to Protect Yourself
For the average person, occasional contact is less of a concern. Dr. Donnai admitted that "getting a receipt once a day is maybe not a problem." Her own approach is to refuse receipts whenever possible.
The real risk is for those who handle receipts constantly, such as cashiers. Her urgent advice for them is clear: "Don't do this! Or wear specific gloves like nitrile (latex-free rubber) gloves."
Surprisingly, trying to wash the chemical off may not be effective, and using hand sanitiser could make things much worse. Dr. Donnai revealed that the likelihood of absorbing BPA increases by about 150 times if you have hand sanitiser or cream on your hands, as the rubbing action speeds up absorption through the skin.
This festive period, as you rush through your shopping, you might want to consider whether you really need that little piece of paper. Your health could depend on it.
