The government will take necessary steps in the public interest over the presence of microplastics in most toothpastes available in Bangladesh, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday.
He made the remarks in response to a question at the government’s regular press briefing at the Secretariat on recent activities.
Asked whether the government would take action after detection of microplastics in most toothpastes available in the local market, the adviser said the government is taking the issue of public safety very seriously.
“Microplastics are not only found in toothpastes and they have spread like a major problem. Even if you do not use toothpaste containing them, microplastics generated from various sources have already entered our food and water,” he said.
He stressed the need for coordinated action to address the issue, saying action against toothpaste alone would not be enough to tackle the broader spread of microplastics.
He also noted that public awareness about health issues is growing, with people raising concerns about microplastics extensively on social media.
Recently, the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) tested 34 toothpaste samples from 19 brands available in the Bangladeshi market.
Its study found microplastics in 26 of the samples, or around 76.5%. The tiny plastic particles were also detected in several toothpastes marketed for children.
