'Eco-friendly' straws contain potentially toxic chemicals – posing a threat to people and wildlife

By Ovokeroye Abafe, Marie Curie Individual Fellow, University of Birmingham

Drinking straws that are made from materials like paper and bamboo are often promoted as more eco-friendly than their plastic counterparts. However, a new study has found that these supposedly sustainable straws contain potentially toxic chemicals called polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These substances, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, are a large group of over 4,000 synthetic chemicals that are used in a wide range of products due to their water- and fat-repellent…

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