Paper Straws Cause Cancer, New Study Shows

A recent study says that drinking with paper straws can cause major health consequences.

Paper straws, according to European researchers, contain ‘forever chemicals’ that can take thousands of years to degrade and have been linked to cancer, thyroid, and liver disorders.

Researchers examined 39 different straw brands and discovered that 90% of the paper straws contained pollutants known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

They were discovered in the majority of the straws tested, with paper and bamboo straws being the most frequent. Stainless steel staws were the only ones that were PFAS-free.

According to scientists, PFAS compounds are potentially dangerous to humans, wildlife, and the environment.

They degrade slowly over time, lasting thousands of years, and have been linked to a variety of health issues, including a reduced response to immunizations, lower birth weight, thyroid disorders, elevated cholesterol levels, liver damage, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer.

They are used to manufacture daily products that are resistant to water, heat, and stains, such as outdoor apparel and nonstick pans.

Dr Thimo Groffen, an environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp, 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.”

A rising number of nations, like the United Kingdom and Belgium, have prohibited the sale of single-use plastic products such as drinking straws, and plant-based alternatives have become popular substitutes.

The study team bought 39 different types of drinking straws made of five different materials: paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, and plastic.

The straws, which were mostly purchased from stores, supermarkets, and fast-food restaurants, were then tested for PFAS in two rounds.

The majority of the brands (27/39, 69%), with 18 distinct PFAS found in total, contained PFAS.

The chemicals were more likely to be found in paper straws, with the compounds detected in 18/20 (90%) of the brands examined.

PFAS were also found in 4/5 (80%) of bamboo straw brands, three-quarters of plastic straw brands, and 2/5 (40%) of glass straw brands.

They were not found in any of the five different varieties of steel straw tested.

PFAS can persist in the body for many years and accumulate in concentrations over time.

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