麻豆社

Scientists testing alternatives to plastic straws have found that most brands available through supermarkets or fast-food restaurants contain potentially harmful synthetic chemicals.

These substances - which can leach into liquids - don't break down for thousands of years and can build up in human and animal tissue.

Dr Thimo Groffen, an environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp, oversaw this research project. He told Newshour's Julian Marshall more about it.

(Photo shows a person in a jazzy shirt holding cocktails using paper straws. Credit: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)