Presence of microplastics in toothpastes of different brands available in Bangladesh market has exposed not only the awareness of its harmful effects among consumers but also the administration's lack of knowledge of this sensitive issue. Laboratory tests carried out by the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) on 34 toothpaste samples reveals that 26 of them contain microplastic particles ranging from 20 to 320 in each 100 gramme. The six children's toothpaste samples included for laboratory test also showed concentration of plastic particles between 20 and 140 per 100 gramme.
What is particularly worrying is that these particles are intentionally added to toothpaste to cut production costs. A top executive of the ESDO observes that microplastics are cheaper than the ingredients used in toothpaste. But this should not be a compelling motive to use microplastics considering their harmful impacts on human health and hygiene. Another reason for adding microplastics is to whiten teeth. It is more like adulteration of foods and other essentials. Thus the practice violates consumer rights and therefore it is a punishable offence.
The parent companies of the products explain that there is no regulation prohibiting use of microplastics in toothpaste. What a lame excuse! There may be no regulation banning the use of microplastics but what about the ethical consideration? Industries cannot use harmful agents in daily essentials just because the product was not suspect of containing such a harmful substance. Quite naturally, the authorities felt no need for formulation of legal provisions. But this does not give manufacturing companies the licence to add harmful substances.
This protocol has its explanation in the eight different toothpaste samples of a few companies, which were found to contain no microplastics. It is, however, intriguing that two different varieties---mint and gel---produced by the same company showed opposite results. While the mint variety has 80 particles in each 100 gramme, the gel type is completely free from any plastic particle. If the producers complied with industrial production criteria, such anomalies were unlikely to happen. Maybe, the consideration for cost-cutting prevailed over care for consumer rights.
Local, Indian, Vietnamese and Thai toothpastes available in the market were tested for presence or not of microplastics. Some of the companies flatly denied they deliberately used microplastics in their products, others cited a lack of laws---as cited above---and still others wanted to carry on their own tests and even expressed their desire for getting samples tested by an independent body. There is no harm if they do so but they must do it as early as possible. Even the government can order for a laboratory test by a reputed independent research organisation.
This is most essential because the invasive microplastic has, according to experts, already entered the food chain. No sane person would suggest that microplastic-laden toothpaste can be used, because this extremely harmful substance stands the chance of entering the stomach through mouth. If the different brands of toothpaste do not contain any microplastic, the risk of exposing people to the threat diminishes.
Admittedly, more avenues for microplastic's passage into human body are left open. Use of thin polythene instead of food-grade types for carrying items including oven-fresh cooked foods poses a direct threat to human health. Random use of cheap polythene and plastic is a dangerous habit the nation has developed. There is no government initiative to set guidelines for use of food-grade polythene and plastic for carrying foods. Low quality hotels and restaurants are not even aware of the danger.
Time and again, campaigns against polythene proved futile because the authorities were not serious about enforcing the laws against the use of this convenient but harmful product. Without regulating the use of fertiliser, pesticide, polythene and plastic together under a comprehensive programme, the invasion of microplastics cannot be stalled. Time is running out fast for ensuring safe food for every citizen of this land. If actions are not taken immediately to plug avenues for microplastic's entry into human body, the nation will have to pay a heavy price in terms of health and hygiene.
