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A new study by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) has found toxic microplastics in a majority of toothpaste brands sold in Bangladesh, raising fresh concerns over consumer health and environmental safety.
The findings, released at a press conference at ESDO’s office in Dhaka on Sunday, showed that 26 out of 34 toothpaste samples collected from 19 brands contained microplastics, accounting for 76.5 percent of the products tested.
According to the study, microplastics were detected in 22 of the 25 locally manufactured samples. All two toothpaste samples imported from Vietnam also tested positive, while one of two products from Thailand and one of five samples imported from India contained the tiny plastic particles.
The year-long study was conducted between July 2025 and June 2026. Researchers collected samples from supermarkets, retail outlets and wholesale markets across the country. Laboratory analysis was carried out at the Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology (EHE) Laboratory under the Department of Environmental Sciences at Jahangirnagar University.
Alongside the laboratory tests, ESDO also conducted a nationwide survey involving 2,760 people to assess consumer awareness and toothpaste usage patterns.
Presenting the findings, ESDO said microplastics are extremely small plastic particles that can pose potential risks to both human health and the environment. The presence of such particles in a daily-use personal care product like toothpaste is particularly alarming because of its direct and frequent contact with the human body.
The organisation urged the government to introduce effective regulations to monitor and control the use of microplastics in toothpaste and other personal care products. It also called for regular quality testing, stricter regulatory oversight and greater public awareness to encourage the use of safer alternatives.
ESDO said the findings underscore the need for broader scientific research and stronger regulatory measures to address microplastic contamination in personal care products marketed in Bangladesh.