In a shocking revelation that raises serious public health concerns, a first-of-its-kind scientific study has found widespread microplastic contamination in the majority of toothpaste brands sold across Bangladesh. Out of 34 commercially available toothpaste products tested, a staggering 26 brands (76.5%) were found to contain toxic microplastic particles.
The year-long baseline research, conducted by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) between July 2025 and June 2026, was officially unveiled at a press briefing in Lalmatia, Dhaka, on Sunday. The findings expose how daily oral hygiene routines may be inadvertently exposing millions of consumers, including young children, to dangerous synthetic polymers.
The Scientific Findings: Local vs. Imported Brands
The laboratory testing was carried out at the prestigious Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology (EHE) Laboratory under the Department of Environmental Sciences at Jahangirnagar University. Researchers utilized advanced stereomicroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to detect the precise concentration of these microscopic plastic particles.
According to the report, local manufacturing accounted for the highest rate of contamination. Of the 25 Bangladeshi-made products tested, 22 contained microplastics. The contaminants were also detected in imported products, including one Indian brand, one Thai brand, and both Vietnamese brands tested during the study.
🔬 Brands with the Highest Microplastic Concentrations
Concentrations measured in particles per 100 grams of toothpaste.
| Toothpaste Brand | Microplastic Particles (per 100g) |
|---|---|
| Mediplus Fluoride Gel | 320 |
| Closeup Red Hot | 160 |
| Closeup Menthol Fresh | 160 |
| Kodomo Ultra Shield Formula (Kids) | 140 |
| Signal Green Tea | 120 |
| Pepsodent Advanced Salt | 100 |
| Himalaya Complete Care | 100 |
| Sensodyne Fresh Mint | 80 |
High Risk for Children
Perhaps the most alarming takeaway from the ESDO study is the prevalence of microplastics in pediatric oral care products. Of the six children’s toothpaste brands analyzed, four (66.7%) contained microplastic particles.
Alongside Kodomo Ultra Shield Formula (140 particles/100g), contamination was found in Meril Baby Strawberry (60 particles), Meril Baby Orange (40 particles), and Pepsodent Kids Orange (20 particles). Because young children frequently swallow toothpaste, their direct exposure risk to these toxins is significantly higher.
*Note: Only a handful of products tested entirely free of microplastics, including locally produced Zenfresh, Parachute Just for Baby (Mango), Close-Up Red-Hot Zinc Fresh Technology, and imported Kodomo Orange.*
Regulatory Failures and “Bad Practices”
Alongside the lab analysis, ESDO surveyed 2,760 consumers nationwide, discovering that 41.9% of respondents had never heard of microplastics in oral care products. The study emphasized that not a single toothpaste brand disclosed the presence of synthetic polymers on their packaging, effectively stripping consumers of their right to make informed health choices.
During the press briefing, Md Monzurul Karim, Deputy Director of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), addressed the controversy. He revealed that while the national standard permits around 40 specific abrasive ingredients, some manufacturers are using cheap microplastics to artificially increase product volume. Karim labeled this a “bad practice” and promised that BSTI would revise the national toothpaste standards to include a mandatory clause explicitly banning the use of microplastics.
