Unveiling the Safety of Thermal Paper
Recently, discussions about the safety of thermal paper have been widely circulated on various short - video platforms. Is this material, which we come into direct or indirect contact with in our daily lives, potentially hazardous? As users and consumers, how should we correctly understand and use it? Today, I will give you a popular science lesson on the secrets and safety of thermal paper.

I. What Is Thermal Paper?

Thermal paper is a special type of paper that shows color through heat. It is widely used in scenarios such as supermarket receipts, express delivery orders, and ATM slips. Its biggest feature is that it does not require traditional ink. It can display text or patterns simply by heating from the printer head, which is convenient and environmentally friendly. There are usually different materials such as ordinary thermal paper and three - proof thermal paper.

II. The Materials and Principles of Thermal Paper

The key to the color - showing of thermal paper lies in its "thermal - sensitive coating" on the surface, which is mainly composed of colorless dyes (such as leuco dyes) and color developers (such as bisphenol A). When the thermal head of the printer comes into contact with the paper, the coating undergoes a chemical reaction when heated. The dye combines with the color developer to quickly form black or blue marks. This process is called "thermochromism," which is simple and efficient. However, the safety of the materials has been a matter of concern.

III. Safety Concerns of Thermal Paper

The color developer in traditional thermal paper often contains bisphenol A (BPA), which is an environmental hormone. Long - term and excessive exposure to it may interfere with the human endocrine system and increase the risks of reproductive health and metabolic diseases. However, it is unscientific and unrigorous to "talk about toxicity without considering the dosage." Last year, China formulated the "GB43352 - 2023 Limit of Heavy Metals and Specific Substances in Courier Packaging," which strictly controls the content of heavy metals and substances such as bisphenol A in various packaging materials. This provides better safety protection for the vast majority of users.
At the same time, in recent years, with the increasing environmental awareness, some manufacturers have begun to use bisphenol S (BPS) or other alternative materials. However, the safety of these alternatives is still a matter of debate. Therefore, "phenol - free thermal paper" has become a new trend in the industry. It is believed that with the progress of technology, more new materials and technologies will be available to replace the existing ones in the future!

IV. What Should We Do?

For ordinary consumers and people who come into daily contact with thermal paper, first of all, avoid anxiety. Secondly, do not put thermal paper in your mouth, avoid contact between wounds and thermal paper, avoid touching food with wet hands after handling labels, and wash your hands normally after contact with thermal paper. These good hygiene habits and behaviors are the correct approaches!