Save the planet, grow some mold?

I was pouring some "water enhancer" in my water earlier and was thinking:

People who advocate for metal straws in place of plastic, do they really understand that the mold problem some people have, stem from these reusable drinking tubes? 

Yes, you can wash them and keep using them. 

Yes, they're a better option to save the environment (not to be confused with saving The Watchtower) because they're not plastic and have a hard time in landfills. 

But if you don't clean them properly, you're apt to grow things that can make you sick.

I usually stick my metal straw in the dishwasher once a week, otherwise I stick a very thin (and pliable) wire brush in the hole to be able to get it clean (I also use dish soap). The brush came with the straw and cup. Unfortunately, I've since broke the cover to the cup so I don't leave my house with this specific vessel anymore. I don't want to end up getting liquids anywhere; I am a klutz after all. Plus, I don't want anything extra getting in there (a fly to milk situation). 

The whole point is there have been reports where people stated they've been getting sick once they've made the switch from plastic straws to reusable ones. All of a sudden, mold has appeared inside their bodies, in such places like their lungs. They don't understand why because they live a healthy life (of sorts) and choose to reuse and recycle. They want to help the planet and themselves. 

Which is why this goes back to my thought of: "if they choose this sort of positive living, how do they not see that their sudden allergy or sickness could be derived from constantly reusing a straw?"

I'm not saying this is 100 per cent factual and I don't have any proof to validate this claim. It's just something I was thinking about tonight and wanted to question. I've seen headlines about this and heard some reports, but I've never investigated it fully. I don't know if there are any hard answers out there; has anyone remotely asked this before? 

I know it's great to be mindful of what we do in life and try our best to stay on top of things, but if you do one small change and all of a sudden become ill and don't know why, maybe you should double check what you're doing. Again, I know this isn't always the case and I know it takes a very long time for mold to grow and get into your body, but all it takes is something so minor, that it becomes something that is big enough to make a grand impact. 

That being said, with all my crazy thoughts and questions, I'm not saying to stop doing one thing over another. If you want to use plastic straws, use them. If you want to use paper straws, use them. If you want to use reusable ones, do it. Go for broke and use nothing if you feel so inclined. "If you want to sing out, sing out. If you want to be free, be free". It's your prerogative. 

I guess until I can solve this problem or the manufacturing conundrum goes away, I'm going to end it here. If you know of any answers, leave a comment and we'll talk more about it. 

Cheers;

See also:

* "Water enhancer" via Amazon

* "Save the Watchtower" reference is a line from Back To The Future (video link via Amazon)

* Link to "Reusable straw(s)" on Amazon

* Link to "metal tumbler" on Amazon

* Link to "wire brush to clean reusable straw" on Amazon

* The "milk and fly" reference is from a 1975 BBC Documentary about David Bowie entitled "Cracked Actor". It's unavailable on Amazon but I'm sure some sleuths can find it elsewhere - not that I'm okay with that! Find it legally!! I remember catching the video on one of the "premium" channels. It could have been BBC America, Sundance or IFC. Anyway, there's a moment in the film where db is in a limo, going somewhere. He's got a milk carton in his hands and is being asked a question about his time in America thus far. He takes a sip of milk, looks down at the carton and notices an insect floating in it, so he responds with "there's a fly floating around in my milk. It's a foreign body", looks up, and smiles for the camera. He explains the connection a little more and the scene ends.  

* The "If you want to sing out" line is from a Cat Stevens song, "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" and written specifically for the 1971 movie, "Harold and Maude". It's track 16 on the soundtrack. 

* I got Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" in my head. It's from his 1988 album, "Don't Be Cruel" and is track 3 (for reference)