Glass straws are generally safe when made from quality borosilicate glass and used properly, but they do carry some specific risks mainly related to breakage and sharp fragments.
Main risks
- Glass straws can chip or break if dropped, hit against hard surfaces, exposed to extreme temperature changes, used with very hot or highly pressurized carbonated drinks, or chewed on.
- If a chip goes unnoticed, there is a risk of mouth cuts or accidentally swallowing glass fragments, which in rare cases can cause internal injury and may require medical treatment.
How safe they are in normal use
- Borosilicate glass straws (the same type of glass used in labware and cookware) are designed to be heat‑resistant, non‑toxic, and quite durable, and reports describe breakage during normal sipping as uncommon when they are well made.
- Glass is inert and non‑porous, so it does not leach chemicals like BPA or microplastics into drinks, which makes it a health‑conscious and eco‑friendly alternative to many plastic and paper straws.
Safer use tips
- Check straws regularly for cracks or chips and discard any that are damaged; avoid chewing on them and be cautious with very hot or highly carbonated beverages.
- Supervise children, avoid glass straws for very young kids, and consider silicone instead, as younger children are at higher risk from breakage and hard materials against teeth.
How they compare to other straws
Feature| Glass straws| Metal straws| Silicone straws| Plastic/paper straws
---|---|---|---|---
Chemical leaching| Inert, no BPA or microplastics. 34| Inert metals, minimal
leaching. 6| Generally safe food‑grade silicone. 4| Plastics can leach
chemicals when heated. 3
Breakage/injury risk| Can chip or break; risk if fragments swallowed. 124|
Higher risk of trauma injuries, especially in children. 6| Soft, low trauma
risk. 4| Low structural injury risk, but environmental harm. 34
Heat safety| Good with normal hot drinks; avoid extreme temps/thermal shock.
34| Conducts heat, can get very hot or cold. 6| Good for most drink
temperatures. 4| Hot liquids can increase chemical leaching. 3
Overall, glass straws are not inherently dangerous but require careful handling and inspection; if that extra caution feels like too much hassle, silicone or good‑quality metal straws are lower‑maintenance alternatives.
