Initially, many saw paper straws as a solution to the plastic straw problem, but they have their own set of issues. They break down easily, making them difficult to use, so manufacturers tried to address this by making them stronger. However, this also makes them harder to recycle. As a result, they haven’t gained widespread acceptance.
Recently, researchers have discovered that they have an even more serious issue, which could ultimately lead the public to reject them as a viable alternative.
Toxic. A team of researchers from the University of Antwerp in Belgium, has published a study on paper straws in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants, and it’s not good news.
After analyzing 39 brands of straws made of various materials such as plastic, paper, glass, stainless steel, and bamboo, the team found that paper straws contain the most perfluoroalkylated and polyfluoroalkylated substances, also known as PFAS. These synthetic substances are considered harmful to humans, animals, and the environment.
What are PFASs? According to the European Environment Agency, PFASs are known as “forever chemicals” because they’re extraordinarily persistent. “They can lead to health problems such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues and cancer,” the EU agency says.
While these substances pose a very low individual risk, on a large scale, they can be an additional exposure factor and lead to increased health problems. In addition to straws, PFAS can be found in packaged foods, fabrics, paints, electronics, and pizza boxes. The most studied PFAS chemicals are PFOA and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate).
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