Dr Carl Albrecht, head researcher for the association, also known as Cansa, warned yesterday, 21 October 2013, that BPA was being replaced by a similar compound, BPS.
Next time you touch your credit card receipt, wash your hands.
"If it says 'BPA-free' it might contain BPS," Albrecht said. "The cancer association has found two large supermarkets that use receipts that contain BPS."
He would not name the retailers but said the association "would prefer to go into conversation with the stores".
"We want to see what we can do regarding staff who handle the thermal receipt paper all day long, rather than name and shame the stores at this stage."
BPA is used as a print developer on credit card receipts, in the linings of food tins and in the formulation of some plastics.
It has been found to mimic the hormone oestrogen in the human body, and can disrupt the functioning of the the body's hormoneproducing endocrine system. BPS is said to have similar properties.
Studies over the past 40 years have linked BPA to increased risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, obesity, asthma, diabetes, sexual dysfunction and miscarriages.
Not all scientists agree that BPA is harmful. The US Food and Drug Administration said there is no evidence to show that it is harmful.
BPA was banned in plastic baby bottles in South Africa last year, in cash receipt papers in Japan in 2001 and in France this year.
Last year, Pick n Pay stopped using paper coated with BPA for till slips, said Andre Nel, the retail chain's general manager for sustainability.
"We took the decision as a proactive step but we're not compelled by any legislation to do so."
Albrecht said that though BPS had not been studied for as long as BPA, "BPS will show many of the adverse health effects associated with BPA".
Professor Riana Bornman, of the University of Pretoria's department of urology, said that even if labels said "BPA-free" the consumer could not know what other chemicals were in the product.
"It comes down to washing hands after handling receipts, eating freshly prepared food and never heating food in plastic packaging."
And do not drink bottled water that has been lying in a car in the sun.
Source: The Times
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