Jakarta, IO – A study revealed that paper straws that are considered environmentally friendly actually contain poly and perfluoroalkyl (PFAS) — dubbed the “forever chemicals”, chemicals that are difficult to decompose and are harmful to health.
Researchers from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, together with the Korea Environment Institute examined 39 brands of straws made from paper, bamboo, plastic, glass and stainless steel materials. As a result, almost 90 percent of PFAS were found in paper straws on the market, per Katadata, Monday (4/9).
Several health risks that put paper straw users at risk include low response to vaccines, pre-eclampsia for pregnant women, increased cholesterol, thyroid disease, liver damage to kidney cancer.
Thimo Groffen, one of the researchers, said his team could not confirm whether the additional PFAS made by the manufacturer aimed at making the paper straws water-resistant was the result of contamination. However, according to him, when PFAS enters the body it will still affect health, per Okezone.
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“Small amounts of PFAS, although not harmful, can add to the chemical burden already present in the body,” said Groffen.
He said his party actually found non-PFAS products in stainless steel straws. “So I advise consumers to use this type of straw or avoid using straws altogether,” he said. (un)