May 13, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Paper straws and utensils are harmful


According to a new study, EKPA Analytical Chemistry Professor Nikos Thomaidis spoke about paper straws and the chemicals they contain.

According to the expert, the study of paper straws revealed two problems: “One is the presence of perfluorinated chemicals, which have become a global problem because they have been in use for many years. It has been proven that they are biodigested once they reach our plate. The substances have a negative impact on human health and the ecosystem, but they are very difficult to replace because they have special properties.”

Another problem, as Mr. Thomaidis mentioned in an interview with ERT, is use of recycled paper for disposable products used in the food industry (cups, straws).

He stressed that the issue “has long been the focus of the European Food Safety Authority,” adding that “these are not the only substances present in recycled paper.”

“We are going to solve the problem by replacing plastic with recycled paper. This is where “reasonable concerns” come into play. Disposable paper products need to be adequately studied,” added the professor of analytical chemistry.

“Each package (container) that comes into contact with food may contain some chemicals that can pass from it into the dish or drink we consume,” says the expert.

https://rua.gr/news/obschestvo/27841-s-edobnye-trubochki-dlya-koktejlya.html

We practically live in a chemical world, therefore, their impact has been a reality for many years. And of course, this has been the subject of study by many groups over time, and it has become the object of attention of the European Commission,” the expert added.

According to him, “the health risks of using disposable paper utensils (and straws) for 10 or 20 minutes are minimal.”



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