The presence of PFAS is concerning for two reasons: one, studies show that exposure to certain levels may lead to adverse health outcomes, though there are still a lot of unknowns, and two, it means that the paper product is not fully biodegradable because, as the name suggests, forever chemicals take a very long time to break down.

President Trump has signed an executive order decrying the "irrational campaign against plastic straws" and directing federal agencies to stop buying paper straws.