Cardboard straws contain substances that are toxic to humans. This is the result of a study published on August 24 in the scientific journal Food Additives & Contaminants. It shows the presence, in these straws, of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS), substances that can in particular cause cancer, immune system disorders and fertility disorders.
Since the ban in 2021 of single-use plastic straws in restaurants and shops, stems made of plant material, edibles, but also stainless steel or glass are now planted in our cocktails. And if we know that it is advisable to simply stop using these small objects for ecological reasons, should we then also do without them for health reasons?
A very low degree of exposure
The amount of eternal pollutants that can be ingested using cardboard straws remains “undetermined” for the moment, recall the researchers of the study cited above. With regard to plastic ones, “the plastic elements come off in two cases, explains Laurent Chevalier, nutritionist doctor and former head of the food commission of the Health Environment Network (RES). When contents stagnate for a period of time or when heated above 70°C. »
According to the doctor, by drinking with a plastic rod, the contact time with the chemical materials would be very short and the degree of exposure very low. He also recalls that the pipes through which the water passes, which were once made of lead, are now also made of plastic. “The impact on health has not yet been demonstrated,” concludes the doctor.
But for André Cicolella, chemist, toxicologist and president of the RES, even at low doses, exposure can have health effects. “With endocrine disruptors, the dose/effect relationship does not work. One can have much stronger effects at low doses than at high doses. Exposure is also greater in certain periods, particularly at the start of pregnancy. »
Pesticide residues
And what about stalks of plant or edible origin, made of pulp, corn, bamboo or even sugar cane fiber? “More and more people are turning to this type of material, saying they are more natural. In reality, corn, wheat, bamboo and sugar cane are hyperprocessed. »
By drinking with this type of straw, can we find pesticide residues in our body? Impossible to say, according to the doctor. “The impact is very low because the degree of exposure is just as low. However, if there are traces or residues of pesticides in the edible straws, ingesting them obviously presents more risks. »
Glass and steel, “the most neutral” products
Faced with these possible health risks, two types of utensils seem to stand out: those made of glass and those made of stainless steel. “These are the products considered to be the most neutral because there is no interaction and fewer molecules are detached,” says Laurent Chevalier. However, there is a risk to be noted. If these reusable straws are not properly cleaned, bacteria can grow there. To avoid getting sick, it is recommended to wash them after each use using a suitable brush.
The most cautious will therefore prefer stainless steel and glass straws or drink… directly from the glass (glass or stainless steel). It was still designed for that.