The Consumers’ Foundation yesterday called for the government to regulate bisphenol S (BPS), a common substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), in thermal paper.
BPA is an endocrine disruptor that affects the reproductive system, foundation secretary-general Wu Jung-ta (吳榮達) said.
In Taiwan, thermal paper, which is often used to print receipts or queue tickets, must contain less than 50 parts per million (ppm) of BPA, according to the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection.
Photo: CNA
When governments began limiting the use of BPA, many businesses replaced it with BPS, Wu said.
However, Australia’s Daily Telegraph has reported that BPA and BPS both disrupt endocrine function, and negatively affect estrogen levels and thyroid hormones, he said.
Sweden was the first European nation to ban the use of BPS, foundation inspector Ling Yung-chien (凌永健) said.
In May, the foundation tested 28 samples of commercial thermal paper and found that one contained less than 10ppm of BPA, within the accepted range, while 23 contained 3,000ppm to 12,000ppm of BPS, it said.
If consumers do not wash their hands after touching thermal paper receipts, they could be at risk of directly ingesting BPS, Ling said.
People should try to use digital receipts as much as possible to minimize contact, he said, adding that they should wash their hands after touching thermal paper.
Infants and children should be prevented from touching thermal paper, he added.
Cashiers, who have the highest risk of touching BPA and BPS, should wear finger cots on their thumbs and index fingers to avoid direct contact, he said.
The government has a responsibility to help consumers keep BPA substitutes in thermal paper in check, Wu said.
BPS should be regulated and standards for inspecting the substance should be set in place, he said.
The government should discuss with businesses alternatives, such as using digitalization to reduce the use of thermal paper receipts, he added.
Thermal paper is coated with chemicals to give it heat and water-resistant properties, and current technology is unable to separate the chemicals from the paper or recycle it, the Environmental Protection Administration’s Department of Waste Management has said.
Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. Guan Guan has said many controversial statements in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” and expressing hope for expedited reunification. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. After verifying the reports, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and explain her actions. Guan
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau audited six hotels in an effort to prevent price gouging ahead of Korean band BTS’ concert tour in the city scheduled for Nov. 19, 21 and 22 this year. The bureau on Friday said that the audits — conducted in response to allegations of unfair pricing posted on social media — found no wrongdoing. These establishments included the local branches of Chateau de Chine, Hotel Nikko, My Humble House, and Grand Hai Lai, it said, adding that the Consumer Protection Commission would have penalized price gougers had the accusations been substantiated. The bureau said the Tourism Development Act
BACK TO WINTER: A strong continental cold air mass would move south on Tuesday next week, bringing colder temperatures to northern and central Taiwan A tropical depression east of the Philippines could soon be upgraded to be the first tropical storm of this year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the next cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Monday next week. CWA forecaster Cheng Jie-ren (鄭傑仁) said the first tropical depression of this year is over waters east of the Philippines, about 1,867km southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Nokaen by early today. The system is moving slowly from northwest to north, and is expected to remain east of the Philippines with little chance of affecting Taiwan,
GIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boost
RSS