BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Paper, bamboo straws contain ‘forever chemicals,’ says study

  • Researchers in Europe tested different types of straws for PFAS
  • The class of chemicals doesn't break down in the body and has health risks
  • The only straws without PFAS were those made of stainless steel

Plastic straws wrapped in paper and plastic forks are seen at a food hall in Washington DC on June 20, 2019. – “How do you drink a milkshake without a straw?” The city of Washington has decided, in the name of the environment, to ban plastic drinking straws — an act viewed as almost sacrilegious in the birthplace of this simple but seemingly indispensable part of daily American life.In the last century, millions of straws were produced in the Stone Straw Building, a stolid-looking structure of yellowing brick in a residential neighborhood. The building now houses the capital’s transit police headquarters. The only visible sign of its historic character comes from a discreet commemorative plaque affixed to a wall above a garbage bin that honors the memory of Marvin C. Stone, “Inventor of the Paper Straw.” (Photo by Eric BARADAT / AFP) (Photo by ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

(NewsNation) — Paper straws may not be any better for your health or the environment thanks to the presence of “forever chemicals.”

Researchers in Belgium authored the study, which tested paper and bamboo straws for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.

PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they don’t break down in the body or the environment. PFAS were introduced in the 1940s as manufacturers sought to make products resistant to oil, grease and water. The chemicals exist in a range of products, from food items like nonstick pans to carpets and other textiles.

PFAS were found in 90% of paper straws, 85% of bamboo straws, 75% of plastic straws and 40% of glass straws. The stainless steel straws in the study did not contain any PFAS.

The chemical most commonly found was perfluorooctanoic acid. While that specific chemical is no longer made in the U.S., it is still used in other countries and could be present in products Americans buy.

Although the amount of PFAS in individual straws was relatively low, exposure to PFAS can build up over time as they do not break down in the body.

“Small amounts of PFAS, while not harmful in themselves, can add to the chemical load already present in the body,” said Dr. Thimo Groffen, who worked on the study.

Exposure to the class of chemicals has been associated with health problems, including premature births, higher cholesterol, reduced immunity and higher risks of certain types of cancers.

It’s difficult to know the precise impact of PFAS because there have been no long-term human studies on exposure to larger amounts of PFAS.

The study did not investigate whether the chemicals could leach into the straws, suggesting more research is needed.

Health

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Cloudy

la

59°F Cloudy Feels like 59°
Wind
3 mph SSE
Humidity
84%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Cloudy. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
52°F Cloudy. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph WSW
Precip
18%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent