New study finds harmful forever chemicals in seemingly ‘green’ products: ‘I would not consider that biodegradable’

By Jane Donohue | Yahoo News | July 29, 2023

Read the full article by Jane Donohue (Yahoo News)

"In 2018, news about how plastic straws pose dangers to wildlife went viral. After that, many people and restaurants switched to biodegradable straws. But a recent study revealed that these biodegradable alternatives might not be as environmentally friendly as they appear.

What’s happening?

When biodegradable straws started gaining popularity, John Bowden, an assistant professor at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was skeptical, reported Environmental Health News.

He assembled a team to study biodegradable straws from 38 different brands. The team was looking for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are often used as a liquid-resistant coating.

PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally — in other words, they aren’t biodegradable."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPolymer
• ChemicalsAlternatives
• Products
• ProductsFood contact materials
• SourcesManufacturing facilities
• SourcesLandfills
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• PFAS Uses
• Disposal