A new study on Thursday revealed an alarming level of paraben, a chemical additive, in toothpaste, handwash and skin care products in Bangladesh.

The higher level of paraben disrupts the body’s endocrine system, which is vital for hormone regulation.

Paraben is any of a group of compounds used as preservatives in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products and in the food industry.

Samples from seven other countries were also investigated before the study found Bangladeshi products contain the highest concentration of paraben in care products.

Cosmetics and personal care products often contain different types of paraben as preservatives because they are effective and affordable.

Because of its side effects, several countries have opted to completely forbid the use of paraben in the products in question.

The Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) in collaboration with the Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health (WIOEH) in South Korea conducted the study.

The ESDO shared the findings of the study at a media briefing at its head office in Dhaka city.

The ESDO investigated the use of paraben in local personal care products, focusing on toothpaste and handwash brands because of growing health concern.

Thirty samples from various local shops in Dhaka were collected and sent to the WIOEH for lab analysis.

The study made an upsetting discovery, all sampled toothpaste and handwash contained chemicals exceeding their permissible limits.

While fluoride in toothpaste and sodium dichloride exhibited the highest concentrations, a significantly high level of paraben was detected in five out of 22 adults’ personal care products analysed.

Remarkably, one tube of toothpaste contained a disturbing 1,423 ug/g, while two handwash packs had an alarming level of paraben from 1,403-1,834 ug/g.

Even more worryingly, among the children’s products, one tube of paste was found containing 659 ug/g of methylparaben and 50.5 ug/g of butylparaben.

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

Even overexposure to fluoride can also disrupt bone balance and affect tooth’s 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 and former secretary, highlighted the government’s responsibility to prohibit the use of these chemicals and increase public awareness of paraben in toothpaste and handwash.

Md Abul Hashem, ESDO senior technical adviser and chemist, said it was alarming to see the use of these toxic chemicals in high concentrations in daily products.

“They are silently intoxicating our health and putting our lives in jeopardy,” added the former chairman of chemistry department at Jahangirnagar University.

Dr Muhammad Anwar Sadat, deputy programme manager at the Directorate General of Health Services, suggested that lab facilities in Bangladesh be enhanced to do the tests at home. It would be less expensive, but effective in the long run, he added.

ESDO executive director Siddika Sultana and secretary general Shahriar Hossain also spoke at the event.

Original article online at https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/alarming-level-of-paraben-in-paste-handwash-study-1708019236