HERMA has added a new, economy thermal paper to its range that does not contain bisphenol A (BPA). Media speculation has recently arisen about health risks from till receipts containing the widely used chemical. "According to all the information currently at our disposal, however, even thermal papers containing bisphenol A does not pose any risks to health."
For the first time, the adhesive material specialist HERMA has now included BPA-free, economy thermal paper as an independent grade to its standard product range (HERMAtherm S, grade 916). The widely used chemical bisphenol A serves as a colour developer in economy thermal papers. Recent media reports have contained speculation about possible adverse health effects that might be associated with the absorption of BPA through skin contact with till receipts.
"We always take consumers' health worries and concerns very seriously, even if labels have not been included in the discussion so far. We have therefore wasted no time in finding a solution that affords all label manufacturers the possibility of offering their customers an alternative material," explained HERMA managing director Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner.HERMA had also used BPA-free, economy thermal paper in the past in individual cases and for certain special projects.
"According to all the information currently at our disposal, however, even economy thermal papers containing bisphenol A does not pose any risks to health." With this connection, the HERMA managing director referred to statements from the German Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR)1, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)2 and the UK Environment Agency3, as well as investigations carried out at Zürich University4. "We will continue to keep a critical eye on the discussions in this area and adapt our product range accordingly. The new HERMAtherm S (916) material is the first step towards this." The HERMA top-coat grades have been BPA-free for many years owing to their different chemical composition.
