The bid to save the planet by making small changes like replacing plastic straws with paper ones may not be as promising. After years and years of sipping colas and smoothies from plastic straws, plant-based paper straws seemed like an eco-friendly and healthier alternative. But not so much now after a new study found that they may contain more toxic chemicals than plastic straws.
Study Findings
The study published in the Journal Food Additives and Contaminants found that paper straws contained toxic and hazardous "forever chemicals" PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in most of the paper and bamboo straws examined.
The researchers from Belgium tested 39 brands of straws made of paper, bamboo, plastic and stainless steel. Almost all the products, 27 to be precise, contained some concentration of PFAS. Stainless steel wasn't one of them.
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The scientists said, "PFAS were found to be present in almost all types of straws, but primarily in those made from plant-based materials. These ‘eco-friendly’ plant-based straws are not necessarily a more sustainable alternative to plastic straws, because they can be considered as an additional source of PFAS exposure in humans and the environment (e.g. after degradation in landfills or through incomplete incineration)."
The most commonly found chemical was Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) which was globally banned in 2020.
What Are Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs)?
The US Food And Drug Administration (FDA) describes PFAS as chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat.
Originally used in the 1940s, PFAS are a part of hundreds of products including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, and fire-fighting foams, the health body a
As per the study results and discussions, PFAS contain water and fire-resistant properties, which may have urged the manufacturers to use the chemical to make their product/paper water-repellent.
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that PFAS are linked to several health risks, including:
- Decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women
- Developmental effects or delays in children, such as low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes
- Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers
- Reduced immunity and impact on the ability to fight infections
- Changes in body’s natural hormones
- Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity
"Not Necessarily A More Sustainable Alternative"
"Plant-based straws marketed as eco-friendly alternatives are as such not necessarily more sustainable for the planet than plastics, because they may contribute to the current prominent PFAS pollution issues," the study said, adding, "Plant-based FCMs, particularly those made of paper, are supposed to be recyclable products, but will most likely end up in landfills or be incinerated, releasing PFAS further into the environment."