While many of us are believers in the old idea of “retail therapy,” or shopping to overcome stress, break-ups, work issues etc. a new study reveals that toxic chemicals on store receipts may actually pose a danger to your health.

The toxic chemical responsible for this news is bisphenol A (more commonly known as BPA). Even in small levels, BPA (a synthetic estrogen ) is linked to issues in the endocrine system. Some of the most common health issues include cancer, infertility, diabetes, early puberty, obesity and behavioral disruptions in children. Some health officials and researchers have begun to question whether the widespread use of BPA in products could be leading to the current obesity issue in America.

While many of us understand we will come in contact with germs while shopping, using hand sanitizer to combat this may actually increase the absorption of BPA chemicals from receipts.

The vast majority of the population is just hearing about this now but it was 2010 when the Environmental Working Group first reported that BPA was present on cash register receipts.

The American Chemistry Council however has attempted to squash concerns by saying “…the most relevant data shows very little BPA exposure under conditions most representative of real-life contact with thermal receipt paper.”

Additionally the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also declared that BPA is safe for use “in food contact materials.”

What do you think? Will you be more cautious about coming in contact with cash register receipts?