Study finds high level of dangerous parabens in toothpaste and hand wash in Bangladesh

A recent study reveals an alarming level of parabens in toothpaste and handwash in Bangladesh, posing severe threats to human health.

Such chemicals could have adverse effects on human health, including disruptions in hormone regulation, reproductive issues, and even potential carcinogenic effects caused by parabens.

Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) conducted the study titled 'Detection of Endocrine Disruption: EDC in Personal Care Products in Bangladesh', in collaboration with the Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health (WIOEH) in South Korea.

The study has been unveiled on Thursday at a media briefing held at ESDO head office in the capital.  

Cosmetics and personal care products often contain parabens as preservatives because they are effective and affordable. 

Yet, they can disrupt the endocrine system, which is crucial for hormone regulation. Several nations have opted to forbid the use of parabens in these products completely.

ESDO investigated paraben usage in local personal care products, focusing on toothpaste and hand wash products, because of concern over health risks. 

30 Samples from various local shops in Dhaka were collected and sent to WIOEH for lab analysis, according to the study.

The study made a concerning discovery, all sampled toothpaste and hand wash contained chemicals exceeding their permissible limits.

 While fluoride, present only in toothpaste, and sodium dichloride exhibited the highest concentrations, significantly high levels of parabens were detected in 5 out of 22 adult products analyzed. 

Notably, one toothpaste contained a concerning 1423 µg/g, while two handwashes had alarming levels of parabens ranging from 1403 to 1834 µg/g.

 Even more worryingly, among the children's products, one toothpaste was found to contain 659 µg g of methylparaben and 50.5 µg/g of butylparaben. 

Samples from seven other countries were also investigated. 

Based on their analysis, ESDO learned Bangladeshi products contain the highest concentrations of parabens in them.

This study highlights the potential adverse effects of these chemicals on human health, including disruptions in hormone regulation, reproductive issues, and even potential carcinogenic effects caused by parabens.

 According to the study, overexposure to fluorides can also disrupt bone balance and affect tooth enamel formation.

 On the other hand, excessive sodium intake is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

Syed Marghub Murshed Chairperson of ESDO chaired while Dr. Md. Abul Hashem, senior Technical Advisor of ESDO, and Dr. Hasnat M. Alamgir, Technical Advisor of ESDO also spoke.

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