A writ petition has been filed at the High Court seeking an investigation after “harmful” microplastics were found in 26 of 34 toothpastes tested that are sold on the country’s market.
The Supreme Court lawyer Md Abdullah Al Mamun filed the writ on Monday, 27 July.
The health secretary, the environment secretary, the commerce secretary, the BSTI and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection have been made respondents in the writ.
A report published in newspapers said the presence of microplastics had been found in 26 of 34 toothpastes tested in Bangladesh. The number of these tiny plastic particles ranged from 20 to 320 per 100 grams of toothpaste. Microplastics were also identified in four of six toothpastes made for children.
The findings emerged in a new study by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO). The researchers said the presence of microplastics in toothpaste creates serious concern over possible risks to human health and the environment.
The researchers said there is no circumstance in which microplastics can be present in toothpaste. The study, titled “Microplastics in Toothpaste: Scientific Evidence for Policy and Regulatory Action in Bangladesh,” was released at ESDO’s office in Lalmatia in the capital on Sunday, 26 July.
The study, conducted from July 2025 to June 2026, tested 34 toothpaste samples from 19 leading brands. They were produced in Bangladesh, India, Thailand and Vietnam.
Microplastics were found in 22 of the 25 domestically made samples. Microplastics were also identified in one of five samples from India, one of two samples from Thailand and both of the two samples made in Vietnam.
Six of the 34 samples included in the study were children’s toothpastes. In four of them, between 20 and 140 microplastic particles were found per 100 grams.
Presenting the study’s findings, ESDO’s research and policy associate Dr Faizun Nahar said the samples had been collected from retail shops, supermarkets and wholesale markets. They were tested at the Laboratory of Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology at Jahangirnagar University. She said microplastics were found in 76.5 percent of the toothpastes tested. No microplastics were found at detectable levels in eight samples.
How much was found in which toothpaste
The study found the highest level of microplastics in “Mediplus Fluoride Gel,” at 320 particles per 100 grams. Of those who took part in the study, 35.6 percent said they use this toothpaste, making it the most-used brand in the survey.
Among the other toothpastes in which microplastics were found, “Close Up Red Hot” and “Closeup Menthol Fresh” each had 160 particles per 100 grams. “Kodomo Ultra Shield Formula” (strawberry) had 140, “Signal Green Tea” 120, and “Pepsodent Advance Salt” and “Himalaya Complete Care” 100 each.
“Sensodyne Fresh Mint” had 80 particles. “Pepsodent Sensitive Expert,” “White Plus Red,” “White Plus Pro Sensitive Gel,” “Signal Whitening,” “Meril Baby” (strawberry) and “Mediplus TGP Formula” had 60 each.
“AM.PM. Herbal,” “Mediplus DS,” “Pepsodent Germicheck,” “Meril Baby” (orange), “Magic Herbal,” “Meswak” and “Closeup Menthol Fresh” sachet had 40 particles each.
“Dentine Gel,” “Pepsodent Kids” (orange), “Closeup Lemon Sea Salt,” “Brush Up Whitening Gel” and “White Plus Pro Sensitive” each had 20 microplastic particles per 100 grams.
Among the products in which microplastics were found, “Kodomo Ultra Shield Formula” (strawberry), “Meril Baby” (strawberry), “Meril Baby” (orange) and “Pepsodent Kids Orange” are made for children.
The eight samples where none was found
The study found no detectable microplastics in eight samples. They are “Parodontax Expert Gum Care,” “Zenfresh,” “Parachute Just for Baby” (mango), “Sensodyne Fresh Gel,” “Colgate MaxFresh,” “Closeup Red Hot Zinc Fresh Technology,” “Kodomo (orange)” and “Colgate Active Salt.”
Of these, “Kodomo Orange” and “Parachute Just for Baby” (mango) are children’s toothpastes.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report