Do thermal prints still use materials that are endocrine disruptors, I don't know. But something to consider. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/human-exp...
Do thermal prints still use materials that are endocrine disruptors, I don't know. But something to consider. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/human-exp...
It's been regulated since 2020 in Europe at least.
> As part of the EU’s REACH Regulation Annex XVII, a restriction banning Bisphenol A (BPA) content in thermal paper above 0.02% by weight came into effect on January 2, 2020. This prohibition was implemented due to health concerns associated with BPA exposure
bpa free thermal paper is pretty easy to source from anywhere now because of this.
From my understanding, BPA was just replaced either a similar chemicals https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259018262...
If the law calls out BPA exclusively and not a more general description, it’s just a false sense of safety.
Yes it specifically limits the sale and use of Bisphenol A. The obvious alternatives Bisphenol S and Bisphenol F are not mentioned.
https://reach-info.ineris.fr/sites/snar-reach/files/pdf/anne...
This brand claims to be fully recyclable:
https://www.koehlerpaper.com/en/products/Thermal-paper/TH_Bl...
It supposedly works by using a layer of reflective bubbles that collapses when exposed to heat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc1mlCThevg&t=20s
Of course, I don't know how those bubbles are made or how they are made to collapse from heat, so for all I know that layer still uses chemicals that currently slip through regulations. But I can also imagine that it is doable to create such a "functional layer" with safe materials.
2017 EPA Award as well :
https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge...
Here seems to be some examples of printed images on Blue4est paper[1].
[1]: https://thermalprintcameras.wordpress.com/blue4est-paper/
One shop network used blue paper here but changed to white some time ago.
Contrast was not great but I guess the price was the reason for the change.
Yeah I was excited about such a project concept until I saw it was thermal printer. Would love a little Polaroid type camera with inexpensive film for my kids to play with, but I don’t want them playing with thermal paper, kids put literally everything in their mouths.
Fuji Instax Mini is probably the closest you'll get right now. But, the film isn't exactly cheap.