Harmful chemicals removed from thermal receipts in Washington [Video]

OLYMPIA, Wash.-The Washington State Department of Commerce has eliminated harmful chemicals from thermal receipts in an effort to protect both public health and the environment.

Thermal receipts are printed on paper made of multiple layers that include a chemical mixture that helps them resist heat, moisture, abrasion and light, however, those chemicals contain bisphenols, which can cause negative health effects, according to the Department of Commerce.

“Switching to phenol-free thermal receipts is a small but significant step in reducing everyday exposure to toxic chemicals,” said Mike Fong, Department of Commerce director.

State Efficiency and Environmental Performance partnered with the WSDOT, Ecology and Department of Enterprise Services to find alternatives to thermal receipts.

Bisphenol-free receipt paper was identified and added to a statewide purchasing contract and is now becoming available to all state agencies, according to Commerce.

Washington State Ferries will be the first agency to use the bisphenol-free receipts and customers can expect to see them about a month …