There was always something amiss with them.
Ever since it became mainstream knowledge that the classic, red or green-striped straws of our youth were harmful to the turtles and other cuties dwelling in our seas, their feeble paper counterparts were churned out as replacement with varying levels of success.
There was a period around 2016/2017 where if you were seen with a straw at all, you'd want to have a good explanation as to why, or at least be carrying written proof of its biodegradable status. While some chain restaurants opted for no straws at all unless they were specifically asked for, more rolled out the paper version, which tends to shrivel and break apart into nothingness as soon as it comes into contact with liquid. There were always protestations that paper straws weren't even recyclable, with their plastic coating inside, and a recent scientist study indicates that their contents could be even more harmful than we thought.
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Via Getty. [/caption]
"They barely break down"
In a study published this week in
Food Additives and Contaminants, scientists detected perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in the majority of straws they tested, with paper and bamboo straws among the worst offenders.
PFAS are known for their nonstick and waterproof properties and are common ingredients in a variety of household products - but they also "barely break down" and are potentially toxic to humans, animals, and the environment. There are thousands of types of PFAS, some of which have been linked to testicular cancer, thyroid disease, kidney cancer and other illnesses, according to The Hill.
In a statement, Thimo Groffen, an environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp said:
“Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic.
“However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that’s not necessarily true.”
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Via Getty.[/caption]
The scientists conducted their research by purchasing as many different types of straws as possible, ultimately deciding to test 20 paper straws, five glass straws, five bamboo straws, five stainless steel straws, and four plastic straws to extensive analysis for 29 different PFAS.
They detected 18 types of PFAS, with paper straws being the most likely to contain the substances. Of the bamboo brands, four out of five — or 80 percent — had PFAS, according to the study.
Three out of the four plastic straw brands, or 75 percent, contained PFAS, compared to two out of five, or 40 percent, of glass brands. None of the five types of stainless-steel straws sampled contained PFAS, the scientists noted.
The most identified compound, PFOA, has been banned around the world since 2020.
Researchers also expressed concern that PFAS are highly soluble and could leach out of straws into drinks. They did not, however, test whether the PFAS was actually leaching from the straws into liquids.
It is not yet known whether the PFAS was added to the straws during the production process for waterproofing purposes, or whether the presence of these substances is the result of contamination. Those involved in the study have advised using stainless steel straws instead, or no straw at all where possible.
Header image via Getty
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