Two studies (Viable skin efficiently absorbs and metabolizes bisphenol A, J.Chemosphere.2010.09.058; and Variability and Predictors of Urinary Bisphenol A Concentrations during Pregnancy, Environ Health Perspect) have linked handling thermal receipt paper with absorption of Bisphenol A, the seemingly ubiquitous, estrogen-mimicking hormone disruptor. The studies' authors recommend that pregnant women stay away from thermal receipt paper, and wash their hands after handling it. BPA absorption is also linked to sexual dysfunction in men.

In a second study, carried out by epidemiologists at Harvard University in the US, team leader Joe Braun and colleagues measured BPA levels in urine samples from 389 pregnant women and then correlated the data with the occupation of the women.

The results were that cashiers had the highest concentrations of BPA (2.8 μg/g), while teachers and industrial workers had much lower levels (1.8 and 1.2 respectively). Since cashiers handle far more receipts than the general population, Braun said he was "pretty confident" BPA from the receipts was being absorbed through the skin in those women.

A similar study was also carried out on 400 pregnant women in and around Cincinnati, in the US. Leader of the research team, Frederick von Saal of the University of Missouri-Columbia said the results were unequivocal in showing BPA can go through human skin. Like the French study, the highest levels were found in women who worked as cashiers.