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SALT LAKE CITY — Plastic straws have long been vilified for their negative impact on the environment. In efforts to be more environmentally friendly, many businesses and consumers have adopted paper straws as an alternative.
Despite well-meaning attempts to cause less harm to the environment by using paper instead of plastic, researchers found that paper straws are just as bad.
Christian Britschgi, a reporter for Reason Magazine, said Belgian researchers conducted a study to examine 39 straw brands. The straws were made with different materials like paper, plastic, metal, and bamboo.
The researchers measured the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances. The chemicals are common in consumer products and industrial processes.
Products such as food packaging, fire extinguishing foam, and household cleaning products all contain polyfluoroalkyl substances. The chemicals are fire and water-resistant, said the Environmental Protection Agency.
The chemicals are often called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment, according to the CDC. The lack of regular decomposition means these paper straws can move through soil and water, contaminating food and drinking water. Bioaccumulation can cause health problems in animals.
Research has found that these forever chemicals are hazardous to the environment and to human health. Research has found that exposure to certain levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances can result in adverse health risks, the EPA said. Some examples are decreased fertility, increased risk of developing some cancers and reduced immunity, among other conditions. Research into adverse health effects related to these forever chemicals exposure is ongoing.
Human consumption of products derived from animals that were exposed to bioaccumulation, breathing contaminated air or drinking contaminated water, or certain occupations such as chemical manufacturing, are all examples of exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Paper vs. plastic straws
Researchers found that the paper straws all contained polyfluoroalkyl substances. The paper straws contained higher concentrations of forever chemicals than their counterparts constructed with other materials.
Plastic straws also contain these forever chemicals, but in lower concentrations. About 70% of the plastic straws examined by the researchers contained the chemicals.
The only type of straw that did not contain polyfluoroalkyl substances was the steel option, researchers found. Steel straws are a reusable option.
Britschgi said the emissions and pollution produced from making straws should be taken into account when determining how environmentally friendly they are.
