"Eco-Friendly" Paper Straws Are Potentially Toxic And Could Be Worse Than Plastic, According To Study

The plant-based straws you get with your latte may not be so environmentally friendly after all. A recent study has found that paper and bamboo straws contain poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, chemicals used to create fluoropolymer coatings and products resistant to oil, stains, grease, water, and heat. PFAS received their nickname as "forever chemicals" due to their indestructible nature and ability to accumulate in the body. They linger permanently in our environment and negatively affect the immune and endocrine systems.

European researchers analyzed straws made from various materials from stores and fast-food establishments. They found that 18 out of 20 brands of "eco-friendly" paper straws contained PFAS, with plastic and glass variants showing a "lower frequency" of PFAS presence.

University of Antwerp's Dr. Thimo Groffen explained that researchers wanted to investigate if PFAS were in the plant-based drinking straws sold in Belgium after they discovered its frequent use in the U.S. Following the study, Dr. Groffen recommends the use of steel straws but also "avoid using straws at all."

"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," he added. "However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that's not necessarily true." What a plot twist. Who knew that paper straws, hailed for their biodegradability, could actually be worse than plastic straws?

The Dangers of PFAS

Unfortunately, these chemicals are nearly impossible to avoid – they're found in our clothing, shoes, water, supermarkets, cosmetics, and more. The Natural Resources Defense Council's Erik D. Olson says we should be concerned. “First, the structure of PFAS means they resist breakdown in the environment and in our bodies. Second, they move relatively quickly through the environment, making their contamination hard to contain," Olson explained. "Third, for some PFAS, even extremely low levels of exposure can negatively impact our health.”

Even extremely low levels of exposure can negatively impact our health.

Manufacturers aren't required to disclose their use of PFAS to consumers, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has no regulations on them either. Exposure to these man-made chemicals has been linked to many health problems, including developmental and reproductive toxicity, thyroid disruption, low birth weight, and potential infertility. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the most well-known PFAS, has been classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It's currently banned in the EU. Previous research on lab animals revealed that exposure to PFOA can raise the likelihood of developing certain tumors in organs such as the liver, testicles, mammary glands (breasts), and pancreas.

The paper straw and plastic combo never made much sense to me in the first place. But there you have it: Paper and plastic straws aren't worth it, and it's better to ditch them altogether.

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