A recent study published by the Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A journal, an affiliated journal of the International Society for Mycotoxicology, may alter how legal professionals and others perceive the use of different types of straws for drinking.
The study, titled “Steel Beats Glass and Plastic, All Beat Paper:” investigates the prevalence of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various types of straws. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s, and are found in a wide array of consumer products that people use daily.
PFAS have been linked to potential health risks, which has led several countries to regulate or ban their use in consumable products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to certain PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans like increased cholesterol levels, effects on the immune system, cancer, and much more. As such, the presence of these substances in commonplace items such as drinking straws is a cause for concern.
The findings from this study reveal that not all straws are created equal when taking into consideration the levels of PFAS present. A key conclusion made by the authors is that steel straws appear to have a lower PFAS presence compared to those made from glass and plastic. However, all three types were found to be superior to paper in terms of PFAS presence.
These findings could impact the decisions of corporations and law firms that are mindful of health impacts, consumer protection and potential litigation. For corporations, particularly those in the food and beverage industry, these results can guide decisions on what type of straws to provide for consumers. Law firms could use this study as reference in cases relating to consumer protection and public health in relation to consumables and PFAS.