Paper straws could be doing more harm than good, study suggests
A South Korean government-commissioned life cycle assessment found paper straws scored 6.33 times higher than plastic on a cancer-related measure.
TL;DR
- A South Korean study suggests paper straws may carry a greater pollution-related health burden than plastic straws.
- Paper straws scored 6.33 times higher than conventional plastic straws in an estimate of cancer-related harm from pollution.
- The assessment compared paper, plastic, biodegradable plastic, and bio-PE straws.
- Conventional plastic straws performed best in 10 of 16 environmental categories assessed.
- Researchers recommended that stores provide disposable straws only upon request.
- Previous reports have indicated concerns about PFAS chemicals in paper straws.