'They're not looking at the unintended consequences': Study highlights concerning toxins found in paper straws
A recent study out of Belgium has discovered paper straws containing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals.
The research found paper straws were more likely to be contaminated with PFAS than any other type of straw.
"We know that these are toxic, harmful, persistent and bio-accumulative compounds," said Dr. Juan Jose Alava, a UBC professor who is also the principal investigator with the Ocean Pollution Research Unit.
"If they accumulate, we know they are immunotoxic."
Earlier this year the toxins were found in orcas off the B.C. coast. PFAS are commonly used in items, including straws, as a water repellent.
In April 2020, the City of Vancouver banned all plastic straws, resulting in many businesses switching to paper ones. The provincial and federal governments are set to ban plastic straws in December of this year.
A representative with Health Canada told CTV News that the federal government is researching the PFA issue, and new regulations are coming next year.
"Should the final state of PFAS report confirm that the class of PFAS is harmful to human health and/or the environment, the government will take risk management action with the objective of reducing environmental and human exposure," the federal agency said.
A representative with the City of Vancouver told CTV News that businesses must have straws on-hand for accessibility purposes, but recommended people minimize their use.
"Through education, the city encourages businesses to provide reusable straws, and also encourages the public to skip single-use straws, including single-use paper straws, unless they need one," said Doug Thomas, from the City of Vancouver Engineering department.
Susanna Carson, owner of a Vancouver-based compostable packaging business, says she's warned government officials for years about the dangers of paper products.
"I am completely frustrated with the way that the government has rolled out the regulations," said Carson.
Carson says many of her products fall under the new government bans, including a corn-based bioplastic straw that she says is safer than paper.
"They're not looking at the unintended consequences," said Carson. "They're not integrating the best science into their decisions."
Health Canada didn't say what would replace paper straws if their data concluded the PFA levels were found to be harmful. The Belgian study found that re-usable stainless steel straws contained no traces of PFAS.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Defence rests without Donald Trump taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial
Donald Trump's lawyers rested their defence Tuesday without the former president taking the witness stand in his New York hush money trial.
Passenger killed, 30 injured as Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence
One passenger was killed and 30 injured after a Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI flight from London hit severe turbulence en route on Tuesday, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Bangkok, officials and the airline said.
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
Trump campaign calls 'The Apprentice' 'blatantly false,' director offers to screen it for him
Donald Trump's reelection campaign called 'The Apprentice,' a film about the former U.S. president in the 1980s, 'pure fiction' and vowed legal action following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. But director Ali Abbasi is offering to privately screen the film for Trump.
Nestle to sell $5 pizza, sandwiches in the U.S. for Wegovy, Ozempic users
Nestle NESN.S will market a new, US$5 line of frozen pizzas and protein-enriched pastas in the United States which it says it designed specifically for people taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
London judge rejects Prince Harry's bid to add allegations against Rupert Murdoch in tabloid lawsuit
Prince Harry can't expand his privacy lawsuit against The Sun tabloid publisher to include allegations that Rupert Murdoch and some other executives were part of an effort to conceal and destroy evidence of unlawful information gathering, a London judge ruled Tuesday.