In an ironic turn of events, a recent study has found that paper straws are far more harmful to the consumer and the environment than previously advertised.
Published in the Food Additives and Contaminants Journal, the study found that a significant number of paper straws contain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
Thimo Groffen, the study’s author, noted the irony in the situation, as paper straws are frequently marketed as eco-friendly replacements for plastic straws. However, the presence of PFAS in “green” alternatives raises concerns about their potential health risks to the consumer.
“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,” Groffen explained. “However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that’s not necessarily true.”
PFAS are a class of chemicals that are primarily used to make products more water and heat-resistant. They are referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their inability to be broken down. These synthetic chemicals have been associated with health issues such as cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders.
This discovery also challenges the notion that paper straws are biodegradable. Groffen emphasized that the presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws contradicts claims of their biodegradability.
“The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable,” said Groffen. “We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw – or just avoid using straws at all.”
Experts have continued to address the rising concern of PFAS consumption by humans. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that exposure to PFAS in drinking water is toxic to humans.
Earlier this year, a lawsuit was filed against The Simply Orange Juice Company for intentionally misleading consumers by marketing its products as “all-natural” despite containing PFAS in its “Simply Tropical” juice. The lawsuit prompted Tom Neltner, the chemicals policy director with the Environmental Defense Fund, to predict that similar lawsuits will continue as the Food and Drug Administration has fallen “further behind” on its testing.
This piece first appeared at TPUSA.
