26 of 34 Toothpaste brands in market find toxic microplastics

Toxic microplastics have been detected in 26 out of 34 toothpaste brands sold in the Bangladeshi market. Laboratory tests found between 20 and 320 plastic particles per 100 grams of toothpaste, with the highest concentration recorded in Mediplus Fluoride Gel, which contained 320 particles per 100 grams.

The findings were unveiled on Sunday (July 26) at a press conference organized by the environmental research organization Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) after a year-long study.

According to ESDO, the research included a consumer survey of 2,760 people across Bangladesh, along with scientific analysis conducted at the Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology Laboratory of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Jahangirnagar University. The study employed stereomicroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify microplastics.

The research report revealed that 22 of the 25 locally manufactured toothpaste brands tested contained microplastics. Among imported products, microplastics were found in one of the five Indian brands, one of the two Thai brands, and both Vietnamese brands examined.

Of particular concern, four of the six toothpaste products specially formulated for children were found to contain toxic microplastics.

The laboratory results showed the following levels of microplastics per 100 grams of toothpaste:

• Mediplus Fluoride Gel – 320 particles

• Closeup Red Hot – 160 particles

• Closeup Menthol Fresh – 160 particles

• Kudumu Ultra Shield Formula Strawberry – 140 particles

• Signal Green Tea – 120 particles

• Pepsodent Advanced Salt – 100 particles

• Himalaya Complete Care – 100 particles

• Sensodyne Fresh Mint – 80 particles

Among children's toothpaste products, the study detected:

• Kudumu Ultra Shield Formula – 140 particles

• Meril Baby Strawberry – 60 particles

• Meril Baby Orange – 40 particles

• Pepsodent Kids Orange – 20 particles

However, the study also reported some encouraging findings. Among locally manufactured toothpaste brands, Genfresh, Parachute Just for Baby (Mango), and Closeup Red Hot Zinc Fresh Technology were found to be free of detectable microplastics. ESDO also confirmed that Kudumu Orange, an imported toothpaste for children, contained no detectable microplastics.