How to avoid the risk of cancer from plastic straws

The plastic straws we use every day pose unexpected dangers. Therefore, it's necessary to know how to distinguish between substandard straws and those that don't meet quality standards in order to protect our health.

Every day we use, are using, and will continue to use a lot of plastic straws when drinking smoothies, sugarcane juice, fruit juice, etc. From fancy cafes to street vendors, straws are used extensively everywhere.

The plastic straws commonly used in beverage shops are mostly quite cheap, costing only 15,000-30,000 VND per small bag or 50,000-80,000 VND per large bag.

Taking advantage of customers' carelessness, many shops, especially street vendors, even reuse used plastic straws for subsequent purchases.

This is very worrying because, according to a warning from Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Khoi (of the Institute of Chemistry): During use, low-quality plastic straws can release toxins that leach into food and drinks.

Therefore, excessive use of plastic straws can have very negative effects on the digestive system and liver of users. In particular, they can cause premature puberty in children, infertility in adults, or cancer.

If you see small scratches or dents on plastic straws, it's because they were removed from the packaging and not stored carefully, allowing dirt and metal particles to get inside. In this case, you shouldn't use the straws.

Stop using straws that have an unpleasant plastic smell or are dull, faded, or may be reusable or contain recycled materials and artificial coloring.

Check the end of the plastic straw for stains or dust. In many places, shop owners place straws in containers, and one end of the straw may become damp or moldy without the user knowing. At the folds of the plastic straw, if there are air holes, you should switch to using a new straw.

Avoid reusing straws, as food and drink residue clinging to the inside is difficult to wash off. This residue can ferment or become a breeding ground for bacteria, and repeated use is not good for digestion.

Minimize your use of plastic straws by switching to paper straws or ice straws – you should definitely consider that.

When buying plastic straws, products with a clear origin will give you more peace of mind. Check the packaging for information about the plastic composition, or you can try testing whether the plastic is toxic by burning it. Toxic plastics are difficult to burn, extinguish completely when removed from the flame, and emit a strange, burnt smell.

According to Knowledge, with young children, you should remind them not to bite on the straws repeatedly, as brittle, low-quality plastics can easily break, posing a danger.

According to Gia Dinh.net