Thursday, 31 August 2023

Non-plastic straws the latest example of climate activism's unintended and deadly consequences

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Last week, a widely read study was published revealing that the "plant-based" drinking straws pushed onto diners by eco-activists may actually be more harmful to both the environment and public health than their plastic counterparts.

According to research published in the journal Food Additives & Contaminants, the "plant-based straws" in question contain "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)," which the scientists say are "not necessarily biodegradable and that the use of such straws potentially contributes to human and environmental exposure of PFAS."

Environmentalists call PFAS "forever chemicals" because they take a long time to break down. PFAS chemicals are a class of chemicals used to make products grease proof, water proof, stick-proof, and stain-resistant. According to Clean Water Action, they are added to a wide range of everyday products such as food packaging for pizza boxes, food wrappers, and take-out containers, non-stick pans, and even personal care products like dental floss, mascara, foundation, menstrual underwear. 

The National Cancer Institute, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has classified PFAS as "a possible human carcinogen based in part on limited epidemiologic evidence of associations with cancers of the kidney and testis in heavily exposed subjects." Clean Water action concurs, adding that "very small doses of PFAS increase the risk of a wide variety of health problems, including kidney and testicular cancer, liver problems, high cholesterol, and immunosuppression."

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