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Since January 1, 2021, plastic straws have been banned in France. They have been replaced by paper straws, an alternative presented as ecological and sustainable. But a recent study reveals that they contain per and polyfluoroalkyls (PFAS), dubbed “eternal pollutants”. These chemical substances, which take hundreds or even thousands of years to degrade, would be harmful to health.
A study published in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants reveals that most paper straws are contaminated with PFAS, more commonly known as “eternal pollutants”. Considered as endocrine disruptors, PFAS are increasingly singled out in the scientific literature as risk factors for human health. In particular, they would be at the origin of certain cancer (testicles, breast, kidneys…). Significant and prolonged exposure to PFAS may also promote obesity, increase the rate of cholesterol or cause complications during pregnancy, including increased risk of miscarriage or high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia).
Belgian researchers had straws marketed by 39 different brands in Belgium analyzed. Straws made of five materials: paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel and plastic.
Stainless steel comes out on top
The analysis revealed that the majority of brands market straws contaminated with PFAS (27 out of 39, or 69%), with 18 different PFAS identified. The study specifies that paper straws are the most contaminated since of the 20 brands analysed, 18 contained PFAS (i.e. 90%). PFAS were also found in 80% of bamboo straws, 75% of plastic straws and 40% of glass straws. On the other hand, no trace of PFAS was found in the stainless steel straws.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is the substance that was most often found in the straws analyzed. However, it has been banned worldwide since 2020. The study also reveals that the straws contained trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS), highly water-soluble PFASs which are therefore susceptible to to end up in the drinks in which the contaminated straws are soaked. The researchers point out, however, that they have not checked whether the PFAS contained in the straws could be found in the drinks.
A potentially dangerous cocktail effect for health
The researchers indicate that the concentrations found were low. Knowing that the use of straws is generally occasional, one can think that the impact on health is limited. But be aware that PFAS can remain in the body for many years and therefore the levels in the body tend to increase over time. “The small amounts of PFAS ingested when drinking through a straw are probably not dangerous to health because they are infrequent. But in reality, they are added to other chemicals already present in the body”warns Dr. Groffen, co-author of the study.
It is not known if PFAS were used by manufacturers to make the straws more waterproof or if the materials used to make the straws were already contaminated. According to the researchers, it is possible that the raw materials used to make the straws were contaminated by the soil during their cultivation or by the water needed to make them.
“We did not detect PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I recommend people use this type of straw or just avoid using straws in general”concluded Dr. Groffen.