The New York Times reports that bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical compound used in making plastic products and in the lining of tin cans, is now showing up in thermal receipt paper. Thermal receipts are routinely given out by stores. BPA can be absorbed into human skin through handling of receipts. Laboratory animal studies have found BPA to have harmful effects on reproduction and development.
Public Act 11-222 prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of thermal receipt or cash register receipt paper containing BPA in Connecticut. The prohibition takes effect October 1, 2013 if the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies a safe, commercially available alternative to using BPA in these papers by June 30, 2013. Otherwise, it takes effect July 1, 2015. The act defines these papers as any paper a commercial entity uses to issue a mechanically produced record of a consumer transaction.
