Microplastics have been detected in 76.5% of toothpaste samples collected from the Bangladeshi market, according to a year-long study by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), which also found a higher detection rate in locally manufactured products.
The findings of the study, titled Microplastic in Toothpaste, were unveiled at a press conference at Esdo’s head office in Lalmatia on Sunday (26 July 2026).
The study, conducted between July 2025 and June 2026, analysed 34 toothpaste samples from 19 local and imported brands collected from supershops, retail shops and wholesale markets across the country.
Laboratory testing was carried out at the Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology (EHE) Laboratory under the Department of Environmental Sciences at Jahangirnagar University.
Esdo also conducted a nationwide consumer survey involving 2,760 people.
Microplastics were detected in 26 of the 34 samples.
Among them, 22 of 25 samples manufactured in Bangladesh contained microplastics, along with both samples from Vietnam, one of two from Thailand and one of five from India.
The study found between 20 and 320 microplastic particles per 100 grams of toothpaste.
The highest level, 320 particles, was detected in Mediplus Fluoride Gel.
Other products with relatively high counts included Closeup Red Hot and Closeup Menthol Fresh (160 particles each), Kodomo Ultra Shield Formula (140), Signal Green Tea (120), Pepsodent Advance Salt and Himalaya Complete Care (100 each), and Sensodyne Fresh Mint (80).
No detectable microplastics were found in eight samples, including Zenfresh, Parachute Just for Baby (Mango) and Close-Up Red-Hot Zinc Fresh Technology.
Among six children’s toothpastes tested, four contained microplastics, ranging from 20 to 140 particles per 100 grams.
Kodomo Ultra Shield Formula recorded the highest level, while no microplastics were detected in Parachute Just for Baby and Kodomo Orange.
According to the study, none of the toothpaste packaging disclosed the presence of microplastics or the synthetic polymers used, limiting consumers’ ability to make informed choices and making regulatory monitoring more difficult.
Esdo Secretary General and Senior Technical Adviser Dr Shahriar Hossain said all samples were collected directly from supershops and retailers, leaving no scope for counterfeit or adulterated products to be included in the study.
The consumer survey found that awareness of microplastics in toothpaste remains limited.
About 41.9% of respondents said they had never heard of the issue, while 31.3% had heard the term but knew little about it. Only 26.9% said they were aware of the issue.
The survey also found that 82.5% of respondents regularly use toothpaste and 90.6% use toothbrushes.
Most respondents (56.9%) brush once a day, while 40.6% brush twice daily.
Mediplus was the most commonly used toothpaste brand among respondents, followed by Closeup and Pepsodent and Colgate.
Speaking at the event, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) Deputy Director (Chemistry) Md Monzurul Karim said current national standards specify 40 approved toothpaste ingredients and particle size limits.
He said some manufacturers might use microplastics to increase product weight at low cost, describing the practice as undesirable.
He added that BSTI has been examining the issue since 2019 and would consider revising toothpaste standards after updating standards for facewash and facepack products.
Esdo said this is the first scientific study on microplastics in toothpaste sold in Bangladesh.
It noted that the country currently has no national standards, permissible limits, testing methods or mandatory labelling requirements for microplastics in toothpaste.
Esdo Chairperson and The Asian Age Editor-At-Large Syed Marghub Murshed said the findings would support the development of toothpaste standards, strengthen regulatory oversight and help protect consumers and the environment.
According to the study, microplastics released from toothpaste can enter the environment and eventually the human body through food and drinking water.
It cited international studies indicating potential risks to the respiratory, digestive, immune, cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems, while noting that further research is needed.
