Paper straws may not be better than plastic, study claims. They can harm your health
Paper or bamboo substitutes for plastic straws may not be a better choice for the environment, a new study claims. Belgian researchers have found evidence that both paper and bamboo straws contain perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), which are referred to as eternal chemicals.
Researchers in Belgium tested 39 different straws, including paper, bamboo, plastic, stainless steel and glass straws that are commonly available in Belgian shops and restaurants. Scientists discovered perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances in twenty-seven of them, The Independent portal wrote.
Eighteen out of twenty paper samples tested, four out of five bamboo straws tested, three out of four plastic straws and two out of five glass samples contained PFAS. The team of scientists did not find PFAS in the steel straws.
Scientists found a total of 18 different PFASs, the most common being perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was banned by the European Union in 2020. However, there are exceptions for certain industries, such as medical devices.
The straws also contained trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS) and "ultra-short-chain" PFASs, which are highly soluble in water and thus could leach from the straws into drinks, according to the report.
They can take thousands of years to decompose
But the researchers said the concentrations of PFAS were low and, given that most people tend to use straws only occasionally, pose a limited risk to human health. They warned, however, that PFAS can remain in the body for many years.
PFAS break down very slowly over time and can persist in the environment for thousands of years. That is why they are called eternal chemicals. According to experts, they can cause cancer, liver disease, disorders of the immune system or a decrease in fertility in men.
We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw - or avoid using straws altogether," said one of the study's co-authors, Thimo Groffen.
“Straws made from plant-based materials such as paper and bamboo are often touted as more sustainable and greener than plastic straws. However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that this is not necessarily true," he added.