Safety first

As controversy continues to surround BPA, a key component of direct thermal papers, Jujo Thermal has developed products based on alternative chemistries. Carol Houghton reports

Jujo Thermal has responded to concerns about Bisphenol A (BPA) – a component found in direct thermal papers – with the introduction of products produced without BPA and products produced without any phenols.

‘These new paper grades offer the same properties as their predecessors, and are thus suitable for various label applications’, says Maria Konttinen at Jujo Thermal, a supplier of durable direct thermal papers for label, tickets and tags and point-of-sales use.

 ‘As a relatively small paper mill we have the possibility to produce speciality paper grades in short notice and we are more flexible than bigger mills’ says Konttinen.

The non phenol-based AP58KM-NL grade was built on knowledge gained with the company’s patented KJ-R grades, and is now being used in self-adhesive direct thermal applications. It is claimed highly resistant to external stress, and features reduced abrasiveness for longer print head life. Supported printing speeds are up to 300mm/s.

Technically, the chemical used in the NL series is a urea-derivative compound, which according to manufacturers’ research is not bio-accumulative and has no irritation, sensitization or genotoxic potential. There is claimed no adverse effects on reproductive performance and hormonal balance.

Storm of controversy

Fears were first raised around Bisphenol A when elements were found in the plastic used to make some baby bottles. Research by Monica Lind, at the department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, highlighted concerns that BPA was a hormone-disturbing agent that could cause infertility. Tomas Östberg, environmental chemist at the Jegrelius Institute, says there could be a ‘hidden flood’ of the dangerous substance and it is important for alternatives to be developed.

Investigations in Sweden, meanwhile, are claimed to have shown that receipts and tickets can contain ‘dangerously high’ levels of BPA. 

But government and industry bodies continue to insist that BPA is safe. In 2008, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment stated that handling products containing Bisphenol A carries no risk to human health. The UK’s Environmental Agency has stated that the substance poses no risk to the environment – for example through the recycling of direct thermal papers.

This conclusion was supported by migration tests conducted at the University of Zurich which indicated that only very small quantities of Bisphenol A, if any, are absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream.

Not surprisingly, the European Thermal Paper Association (ETPA) considers the use of Bisphenol A for the production of direct thermal papers to be safe and responsible. A statement says ‘direct thermal papers are safe to use and do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.’ The industry body argues that because the BPA is chemically bound into the paper, it is unlikely to be released.

The European Food and Safety Association (EFSA) says it is considering ‘sharper laws’, but insists current levels are safe, a decision it reaffirmed after further research last year.

Despite these findings, the anti-BPA movement is gaining force, particularly in North Europe. Sweden is leading calls for the permissible limit to be raised, and there is possibility of a national ban.

Against this background, the development of both a non-BPA direct thermal paper and non-phenol paper by Jujo seems like a far sighted move.

This article was published in L&L issue 4, 2011