Beware of Toxic Receipts

Toxics Link performed the research on Bisphenol A in Thermal papers which is covered by many media. Following is the press release of the same.

Press Release

Beware of Toxic Receipts

January, 2018: Next time think twice to hold paper receipts from any transaction or sale as there might be a chance that you could be exposing yourself to the toxic chemical “Bisphenol-A” found in exceedingly high quantities in thermal paper that are commonly used for cash register transactions or sale receipts reveals a new study “Toxic Impressions: BPA in thermal paper” by Toxics Link, a not-for-profit organization.   

Thermal papers are widely used to print the sale receipts in various sectors like grocery stores, gas stations and bank ATMs to ensure fast and accurate services. This paper is also used by the ticketing agencies, lottery system, and other businesses, which require accurate and high-volume printouts.

BPA is a recognized as “Endocrine disrupting chemical” and is known to cause disruption in the endocrine system and is associated with various health effects like, altered thyroid function, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, impaired liver and kidney function, inflammation, hyperactivity, and impaired learning. Because it mimics the biological activity of estrogen, developing children face the greatest health risks from BPA. Research has linked exposure to fertility problems, male impotence, heart disease and other conditions. In 2015 Bureau of Indian Standards have phased out use of BPA in baby feeding bottles condering the health impact on the children

In this study, twelve unused thermal paper samples from both known and local brands of different manufacturers and suppliers were randomly collected from different markets in New Delhi. The samples then were sent for testing to Department of Biotechnology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The samples were tested using gas chromatography method. The research studies found the levels of concentration of BPA between 300 ppm and 6600 ppm in thermal papers with the average levels of 3037 ppm, which is exceedingly high and can have serious adverse impacts on human health and environment says Dr Prashant Rajankar, Programme Coordinator, Toxics Link

Moreover, BPA is loosely bound with the thermal paper; hence there is a high chance of chemical penetrating the human skin as well as contaminating the ecosystem. It is to be noted that there is no separate disposal mechanism of thermal papers in India thus posing a serious risk of this chemical being scattered in the environment and moving into various pathways and impacting ecology. Hence, the report also suggests the need to regulate BPA in thermal paper in India and shift to the better alternatives to prevent the BPA exposure in the environment and human health.

Globally efforts are being made to phase out or restrict the use of BPA in thermal papers considering the precautionary principle. Countries like Japan, Belgium, Denmark, Canada and France have banned the use of BPA in thermal papers and EU has set limit of 200 PPM says Piyush Mohapatra Senior Programme Coordinator Toxics Link

About Toxics Link (www.toxicslink.org) Toxics Link is an environmental research and advocacy organization set up in 1996 by The Just Environment Charitable Trust. It lays a special emphasis on reaching out to numerous grassroots groups; community based organizations and the public at large through its empirical study-based information on Environmental issues. Toxics Link works closely with all other stakeholders who are working on similar issues and has played a seminal role in facilitating the development of several common platforms for them at the national, regional as well as international levels.

How to Find Products That Are Actually "Natural"

Just like the throngs of food companies now jumping on the “natural” bandwagon, grooming product brands want to woo you with this vapid, unregulated marketing term. Don’t be fooled: A splash of coconut water won’t magically make a toxin-laden drugstore shampoo any safer. In fact, according to market research firm Kline & Company, some 75 percent of products claiming to be natural are actually mostly synthetic.

Now, not all lab-created chemicals used in grooming products are harmful, insists Nneka Leiba, deputy director of research at the Environmental Working Group. Some are even safer than certain plant-derived natural compounds, she says. However, many synthetic chemicals found in the products you use every day do carry real-deal health risks. Some hijack hormones; some hinder sperm production; some may even cause cancer.

To find grooming products that truly are natural — and safe — you must meticulously read through ingredients lists. Unless you’re a chemistry expert, this can be confusing, so here’s a cheat sheet of the synthetic ingredients you absolutely should avoid.

Fragrance

“Fragrance is a catchall term that can include up to 3,000 ingredients, including phthalates, which are especially concerning for men,” Leiba says. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been linked to low sperm count and poor sperm motility. And since fragrances are considered trade secrets, companies are not required to divulge the chemical cocktails within them. “As a consumer, you have no way of knowing what you’re getting,” Leiba says.

Sometimes you’ll see an asterisk following “fragrance” on an ingredients list with a note saying “derived from natural sources” or something similar. The problem again, says Leiba, is that “natural” is unregulated, so each company gets to make up its own definition for “natural source.” Your best bet is to avoid fragrance altogether whenever possible.

Parabens

Many grooming companies have begun shunning parabens in response to consumer backlash. Yet these synthetic preservatives are still pervasive in shampoos, conditioners, body washes, shaving gels, and sunscreens. According to Leiba, the longer-chain parabens — namely especially propyl-, butyl-, isopopyl-, and isobutylparaben — are the real problem. They’ve been linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer risk, while shorter-chain parabens such as methyl- and ethylparaben are much safer.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to avoid all parabens,” Leiba says. “Products without preservatives can be just as dangerous because they may harbor harmful bacteria that can get into your skin and eyes.” When scanning ingredients lists, keep your eyes peeled for the big four long-chain parabens and skip any products that contain them.

Formaldehyde Releasers

You’ll never see formaldehyde listed on labels, but this respiratory toxin, skin irritant, and carcinogen lingers within many men’s grooming products, says Leiba. It’s slowly released by certain preservatives, namely DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, and imidzaolidinyl urea. If you spot any of those ingredients, steer clear.

PEGs and -eth Compounds

Avoid products containing PEGs and ingredients that have -eth in their name, such as ceteareth or sodium laureth sulfate. These commonly used chemicals have been ethoxylated, a process intended to make them less harsh. But during ethoxylation, they often become contaminated with a substance called 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen. “Sometimes large companies are able to scrub these ingredients of 1,4-dioxane,” Leiba says. “But you never know whether that’s happened.”

Triclosan and Triclocarban

Many companies are moving away from these synthetic antibacterial agents now that the FDA has deemed them no better at battling harmful bacteria than washing with plain soap and water. Plus, Leiba says both triclosan and its cousin triclocarban mess with thyroid function, contribute to antibiotic resistance, and pollute aquatic ecosystems after they’re flushed down drains. Still, you’ll find triclosan in liquid hand soaps, toothpastes, and antiperspirants, as well as in communal hand-sanitizer pumps in hospitals and clinics. You’ll see triclocarban in antibacterial bar soaps and other solid products.

Vitamin A Compounds

Retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and retinol are popping up in more and more men’s products, Leiba says. These vitamin A derivatives are safe in night creams, but when exposed to the sun, they get broken down into hazardous free radicals that can cause skin lesions and possibly spur tumor growth. “Avoid face lotion, sunscreen, lip balm, and any day-use products that contain vitamin A compounds,” Leiba says.

Lead Acetate

This neurotoxin is found in dark-colored hair dyes. “This one’s a huge problem or men because it’s been shown to reduce sperm quantity and quality even at low doses,” Leiba says. If you’re looking for an at-home product to conceal your grays, check any potential purchase for lead acetate.  

Source - http://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/articles/how-to-find-products-that-are-actually-natural-w432804

Photo Credit: Melanie Acevedo / Getty Images