Paper Straws Might Be Worse for Us Than Plastic?
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 21: Paper straws sit on the bar at Fog Harbor Fish House on June 21, 2018 in San Francisco, California. San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley are all considering bans on plastic straws but are facing the difficult challenge of finding suppliers that make paper straws. Aardvark Straws, one of a few paper straw manufacturers in the United States, has seen a 5000 percent surge in sales over the past two years and currently is about two months behind on production. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
If you hate paper straws with a passion, here’s some more ammunition: A new study found they might not be that eco-friendly after all.
Researchers in Europe tested straws from 39 different brands. And 90% of the paper straws had FOREVER CHEMICALS linked to health issues like cancer.
They tested 20 different types of paper straws, and 18 of them contained low levels of forever chemicals that don’t break down in nature.
It’s not just a paper straw problem though. They also tested plastic straws, and 75% of those had forever chemicals too. So did 80% of bamboo straws, and 40% of glass straws.
In other words, forever chemicals are just everywhere now. So even things made of paper aren’t exactly “good” for the environment. Plastic straws are still bad for other reasons though, and a much bigger threat to plants and animals.
The study did find one type of straw that doesn’t have forever chemicals. None of the reusable STAINLESS STEEL straws tested positive.
(Phys / New Atlas)
Jim O'Brien is the Host of "Big Jim's House" Morning Show at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit. Jim spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service, has appeared on Shark Tank (Man Medals Season 5 Ep. 2), raised over two million dollars for local charities and is responsible for Glenn Frey Drive and Bob Seger Blvd in the Motor City. Jim's relationship with Classic Rock includes considering Bob Seger, Phil Collen from Def Leppard, Wally Palmer of the Romantics and many others good friends. Jim writes about ‘80s movies, cars, weird food trends and “as seen on TikTok” content.