HC orders formation of probe body over microplastics in toothpastes

The High Court has ordered the formation of a three-member expert committee to investigate whether 26 toothpaste products available in the country's market contain harmful microplastics, as found in a recent report.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice Md Ziaul Haque passed the order today (July 28), directing the committee to submit its investigation report to the court within 15 days.

The order follows a study published by the Environment and Social Development Organization on Sunday (26 July), which found that nearly three out of every four toothpaste products tested in Bangladesh contain microplastics.

Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces less than five millimetres long that come from broken-down trash, synthetic clothes and manufactured beads. They pollute the air, water and soil and can end up inside animals and humans.

The year-long study found microplastic particles in 26 of 34 toothpaste samples (76.5%) collected from 19 local and imported brands sold in the country.