Author: Brian Brinks

Yes, plastic straws are not good, I mean everyone can understand that single use plastics are just terrible for the planet. Think of this, every straw you have ever used still exists – unless you threw some of them in a fire and melted/burned them. It can take at least 200 years for a straw to “break down”. I put “break down” in quotes because they do not biodegrade. When plastic “breaks down” it just break down into smaller bits of plastic, turning into micro-plastic….ie it will never technically decompose.

The numbers are staggering — We are producing over 380 million tons of plastic every year, and some reports indicate that up to 50% of that is for single-use purposes – utilized for just a few moments, but on the planet for at least several hundred years. And of course a good chunk of the single use plastic humans use ends up in our waterways and oceans (estimated to be 10 million tons – greater than a full garbage truck full every minute of every day!) which reaping havoc.

Right. Plastic straws are bad. There is no doubt.

So with that in mind paper straws seem like the logical choice.

Unfortunately this is not the case.

Why you ask, well it is all due to a terrible forever chemical called PFAS. Learn more on PFAS here. Remember the movie Erin Brockovich with Julia Roberts, she was fighting for residents who were exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. The fight isn’t over, a recent study found that a good chuck of drinking water sources in the USA are contaminated with PFOA/PFOS.

A new study, recently published in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants, found evidence of “forever chemical” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the majority of both paper and bamboo straws tested.

I have stopped using them and you should too.

Try stainless steel straws for use at home – cheap and will last you a lifetime.

Photos of plastic pollution:

These are bad chemicals and we need to try and avoid them, as much as possible.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of (over 4000) synthetic chemicals that have gained notoriety for their adverse effects on human health and the environment. Here’s why PFAS are so damaging:

1. Health Risks: PFAS exposure is linked to a range of health problems, including cancer (especially kidney and testicular cancer), liver damage, immune system suppression, thyroid disorders, and developmental issues in children.
2. Persistence: PFAS do not break down easily in the environment, leading to their accumulation in soil, water, and even in the bodies of living organisms, including humans. This persistence means long-term exposure, making the health risks more significant.
3. Widespread Contamination: PFAS contamination is widespread, with numerous documented cases of polluted drinking water supplies and environmental contamination near industrial sites and military bases where PFAS were used in firefighting foam and other applications.
4. Bioaccumulation: PFAS can bioaccumulate in the food chain, leading to higher concentrations in animals that humans consume, further increasing the risk of exposure.
5. Lack of Regulation: Until recent years, there has been limited regulation of PFAS, allowing their widespread use and contamination without adequate oversight.

How are we being exposed?

1. Waterproof Apparel: Outdoor clothing, raincoats, and footwear often use PFAS-based coatings to provide water and stain resistance.
2. Non-Stick Cookware: Teflon-coated pans and bakeware contain PFAS to prevent food from sticking to the surface.
3. Food Packaging: Microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, pizza boxes and now paper straws almost always contain PFAS to resist grease and moisture.
4. Dental Floss: Certain types of dental floss have been found to contain PFAS coatings for smoother gliding.
5. Cosmetics: Some cosmetics, particularly waterproof makeup, may contain PFAS for long-lasting wear.
6. Stain-Resistant Fabrics: Carpets, upholstery, and textiles are treated with PFAS to repel stains and spills.
7. Cleaning Products: Some household cleaning products, such as stain removers and carpet cleaners, may contain PFAS for their stain-resistant properties.