‘Eco-friendly’ paper straws found to contain toxic chemicals

PFAS chemicals are long-lasting and are potentially destructive to human health should they build up in the body.

Studies have shown that the chemicals can lead to a number of health issues including lower response to vaccines, lower birth weight, thyroid disease, increased cholesterol levels, liver damage, kidney cancer and testicular cancer.

Plastic straws were banned in the UK in 2020 due to environmental concerns as the plastic would simply sit in landfills or end up in the ocean.

Their paper successors were tipped to be a more “eco-friendly” solution.

Notable items that include the toxic chemical include outdoor clothing and non-stick pans due to its ability to resist water, heat and stains.

The PFAS chemicals present in the study are believed to have originated from the water-repellent coating that lines the straws.

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The study also examined plastic, glass and steel straws but did not look into whether PFAS chemicals leaked into the liquids in which the straws were placed.

PFAS was found in far lower frequencies in plastic and glass straws whereas steel straws showed no traces.

The most commonly found version of PFAS called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been prohibited worldwide since 2020.

Belgian researchers who conducted the study posited that although PFAS was detected in the majority of paper straws, the concentrations were low and straw use is rare so therefore posed a limited risk to human health.

​However, they warned that the chemicals could accumulate in the body over many years.

Dr Thimo Groffen, from the University of Antwerp, began the study after wanting to find out if PFAS were present in plant-based drinking straws sold in Belgium after they were discovered in straws sold in the US.

Following his findings, he advocated the use of steel straws but also advised to “avoid using straws at all”.

Dr Groffen 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.”