The bill that you receive at the cash register, the one that is issued in most stores and at ATMs, contains enough chemicals that disrupts the production of hormones, BisphenolA (BPA). It triples its concentration in the body only 2 hours after you have received the in your hands.
In a study, whose results were published in JAMA, the scientists followed the levels of BPA in the urine before and after the participants handled an accounts from the cashier.
BPA levels jumped from an average of 1.8 micrograms per liter, before operating,to 5.8 micrograms per liter just a few hours later. Levels of BPA reached their peak 8 hours after the experiment, when they went up to 11.1 microgram per liter.
BPA, which can be found in plastics and cans, is associated with a higher risk of developing asthma, heart disease, obesity and cancer.
According to the authors of the study the accounts from the cash register are printed on paper coated whit a heat sensitive layer that contains BPA.
However, most customers probably do not need to worry about handling the accounts, because they are not used in large enough quantities. Still, is required that after receiving the bill in your hand, save it aside and it is required to wash your hands!
However, according to the researchers, for the cashiers and other employees who constantly handle the accounts, BPA exposure can be dangerous.
People who are constantly working with accounts can protect themselves by wearing a nitrile gloves. A study has shown that those who wore this gloves had their BPA levels only slightly risen.
Previous study showed that levels of BPA in urine rose up to 20.8 micrograms per liter in those who ate canned soup.