Paper Straws, PFAS, and Harm to Us and the Environment
Many commercial food establishments have switched from plastic to paper straws to help the environment, and it has come to light that they contain substances known as PFAS. PFAS aside, I hate the way they feel on my lips. PFAS offer numerous advantages due to their beneficial properties. They can reduce the tension on liquid surfaces, resist water and oils, and are non-flammable. They can dissolve gases, are stable and non-reactive, offer strong electrical insulation, and are excellent heat conductors. Furthermore, they have a low refractive index and dielectric constant, can produce strong acids, can operate at a wide range of temperatures, have low volatility in a vacuum, and are impervious to radiation. 1
Alarmingly, PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are causing some concern because they don't break down easily and can negatively affect people and the environment. Over four thousand different types of PFAS are being used for all sorts of things, but finding information about each one and what they're used specifically can be challenging. A recent study conducted in the Belgian market analyzed 39 different straw brands made from five materials: paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, and plastic. The findings showed that PFAS was detected in almost all types of straws except stainless steel. The highest frequency of PFAS was found in paper and bamboo straws. As PFAS can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, these findings suggest that using such straws may contribute to human and long-term environmental exposure to PFAS. 2 Their long-lasting environmental presence and some of PFAS's extended biological half-lives, widespread human contact with PFAS via water, food, and air has led to detectable PFAS levels in the blood of almost everyone in developed nations, with health consequences reported worldwide. 3
Because of the concerns about the long-lasting effects of PFAS and limited knowledge about their properties, uses, and toxicity. As a result, some people have suggested limiting the production and usage of these chemicals. However, some applications may require PFAS, making a complete ban impractical. However, some authorities suggest that when PFAS usage is deemed non-essential, it can be eliminated without replacing it with an alternative offering the same function and performance level. Nonetheless, certain uses of PFAS may be necessary for health, safety, or society's overall well-being, and there are currently no substitutes available for them.
Manufacturers should be required to disclose the substances contained in their products on safety data sheets for a clearer understanding of what is being used. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most products. 1 A recent peer-reviewed literature has shown increased reports on the environmental and human health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Research studies have found connections between exposure to certain PFAS and various health issues. These include changes to immune and thyroid function, liver disease, dysregulation of lipids and insulin, kidney disease, negative effects on reproduction and development, and cancer. Many of these effects have also been observed in animal experiments, confirming the findings.
Unbelievably, the most toxic portion of the molecules is fluorine. Fluorine and fluoride are known human and environmental toxins. For more on my dislike of fluoride as a first-line dental therapeutic, read this, this, and this post.
The authors of a paper found that children with a higher concentration of major PFCs in their serum had a 49% lower overall diphtheria antibody concentration. Children and adults had associations between rubella, mumps, and Hemophilus influenza vaccinations. Also, CRP, a marker for inflammation, was modestly downregulated. Available data strongly suggest that exposure to PFAS can suppress the immune response in humans.
Chronic autoimmune diseases such as thyroid and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are also being investigated. The C8 Science Panelists found a "probable link" between PFAS exposure and thyroid disease, with differing outcomes in men (hypothyroidism) and women (hyperthyroidism). PFAS has been shown to definitely affect human thyroid hormones and may contribute to thyroid auto-immunity, but there is no evidence it causes thyroid cancer based from available studies.
Recent studies on animals and humans suggest that PFAS chemicals can hinder liver functions, causing a buildup of bile acids and lipids in the liver. Research also shows that PFAS exposure is linked to an early-stage liver disease known as steatosis or "fatty liver." Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has risen in the US; this connection should be investigated more thoroughly.
Similar metabolic pathway alterations have been observed in toxicology studies, and these changes can occur independently of PFAS exposure, leading to disrupted fatty acid beta-oxidation and increased free cholesterol levels.
A review of 6 published studies indicates that exposure to long-chain PFAS is linked to kidney cancer cases and deaths, with risks ranging from 1.07 to 12.8. Further analysis of data from the Veneto, Italy, population with high PFAS exposure indicates a notable rise in kidney cancer mortality. Additionally, Uric acid is consistently linked to PFAS exposure and increased risk of renal disease in adults and children.
There is strong evidence of testicular damage and endocrine disruption caused by PFAS exposure, and PFAS can easily pass through the placenta and enter into breast milk. In fact, the levels of PFAS found in the serum of young children are often higher than those found in their mothers. PFAS can harm the ability to conceive, pregnancy, and the development of infants. Studies have shown that PFAS exposure can negatively affect both the duration of breastfeeding and the amount of milk produced. 3 Sadly, PFAS were recently found in the crotch area of popular yoga pant brands.