Research finds 90% of eco-friendly paper straws contain PFAS, the same toxic compounds regulators are racing to eliminate from food packaging
The paper straw sitting in your iced coffee may contain the very chemicals environmental regulators are fighting to eliminate. A peer-reviewed study found that 90% of paper straws tested contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or "forever chemicals," raising questions about whether the eco-friendly alternative to plastic is as safe as consumers believe.
Researchers at the University of Antwerp tested 39 brands of straws across five materials and published their findings in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants in August 2023. The results were striking: paper straws were the most likely to contain PFAS, with 18 out of 20 brands testing positive for the chemicals.
What the research found
The Belgian study detected PFAS in the majority of straws tested, but paper options fared worst. According to NBC News reporting on the study, bamboo straws showed PFAS in 80% of samples, plastic straws in 75%, and glass straws in 40%.
Stainless steel straws were the only type completely free of the chemicals.
The most commonly detected compound was perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which has been banned globally since 2020. Researchers also found "ultra-short chain" PFAS varieties that are highly water-soluble, meaning they could potentially leach from straws into drinks.
"Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic," Dr. Thimo Groffen, the study's lead author and environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp, said in a press statement. "However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that's not necessarily true."
Why PFAS are concerning
PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because their carbon-fluorine bonds are extraordinarily stable, allowing them to persist in the environment for thousands of years. They also accumulate in the human body over time and have been detected in the blood of more than 97% of Americans, according to health researchers.
The chemicals have been linked to serious health problems. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified PFOA as a human carcinogen in 2023, and multiple studies have connected PFAS exposure to thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer, elevated cholesterol, and reduced immune response. Research published in eBioMedicine in October 2023 found a 56% increased risk of thyroid cancer diagnosis associated with elevated PFAS levels.
While the concentrations found in straws were low, researchers noted that occasional straw use alone poses limited immediate risk. The concern is cumulative exposure from multiple sources over time.
The irony of the eco-friendly switch
The move away from plastic straws gained momentum after a 2015 viral video showed rescuers removing a straw from a sea turtle's nose. Major corporations responded to public pressure, with Starbucks announcing in 2018 it would eliminate single-use plastic straws from its 28,000 locations worldwide by 2020, estimating the change would prevent more than one billion plastic straws per year from entering waste streams.
Cities including Seattle, Washington D.C., and municipalities across California, Colorado, New York, and Oregon enacted plastic straw bans. Paper and bamboo alternatives flooded the market as the sustainable choice.
But the Belgian research suggests this well-intentioned swap may have introduced different environmental and health concerns. The presence of PFAS in plant-based straws means they may not be truly biodegradable and could contribute to the very chemical contamination they were meant to address.
"The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable," Dr. Groffen said. "We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw, or just avoid using straws at all."
Regulatory action is accelerating
Federal agencies have begun addressing PFAS contamination more aggressively. In April 2024, the EPA established the first national drinking water standards for PFAS, setting maximum contaminant levels at 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS.
The FDA has also taken steps to remove PFAS from food contact materials. In February 2024, the agency announced that all grease-proofing agents containing PFAS are no longer being sold for food contact use in the U.S., and in January 2025, it declared that 35 food contact notifications related to PFAS-containing substances are no longer effective, according to FDA documentation.
Multiple states have enacted or proposed their own PFAS restrictions on food packaging, though drinking straws are not explicitly covered in most legislation.
What's next
The researchers acknowledged limitations in their study, including that they did not test whether PFAS actually leaches from straws into beverages during normal use. More research is needed to understand real-world exposure levels.
For consumers concerned about PFAS exposure, experts suggest reusable stainless steel straws as the safest option, or simply drinking without a straw when possible. Those who want to continue using disposable straws may have limited options for avoiding PFAS until manufacturers address the contamination, either by intentional removal or by sourcing cleaner materials.
The study adds to growing evidence that substituting one single-use material for another may not solve environmental or health problems. As one environmental advocate told reporters, swapping plastic straws for paper versions questions whether material substitution alone is the right approach to reducing waste.
The findings also highlight how chemicals can enter consumer products through manufacturing processes or contaminated raw materials without consumers or even manufacturers being fully aware.
