We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic content of over-the-counter toothpastes - a systematic review
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review confirms that microplastic particles are present in many common toothpaste brands, including polyethylene and polypropylene beads used as abrasives. Since toothpaste is used daily and can be swallowed, this represents a direct and repeated route of microplastic exposure for consumers.
Background: Microplastic particles are used as ingredients in personal care products such as face washes, shower gels and toothpastes and form one of the main sources of microplastic pollution, especially in the marine environment. In addition to being a potential pollutant to the environment, the transfer of microplastics to humans can become a severe threat to public health. This systematic review was conceptualized to identify evidence for the presence of and characteristics of microplastics in toothpaste formulations. Methods: The PICOS Criteria was used for including studies for the review. Electronic databases of Scopus, Embase, Springer Link, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched, as well as hand and reference searching of the articles was carried out. The articles were screened using the software application, Covidence® and data was extracted. Results: This systematic review showed that toothpastes from China, Vietnam, Myanmar and the UAE, reported no evidence of microplastics and those from Malaysia, Turkey and India reported the presence of microplastics. The shape of the microplastics present in these toothpastes were found to be granular, irregular with opaque appearance and also in the form of fragments and fibers and the percentage weight in grams ranged from 0.2 to 7.24%. Malaysia releases 0.199 trillion microbeads annually from personal care products into the environment and toothpastes in Turkey release an average of 871 million grams of microplastics annually. Similarly, in India, it has been reported that 1.4 billion grams of microplastic particles are emitted annually from toothpaste. Conclusions: The findings of this systematic review provide evidence that toothpastes, at least in some parts of the world, do contain microplastics and that there is a great risk of increase in the addition of microplastics to the environment by the use of toothpaste.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence and risk assessment of microplastics from various toothpastes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastic particles in multiple commercial toothpaste products and conducted risk assessments, determining that microbeads and other plastic additives in toothpastes represent a source of microplastic release to aquatic environments and potential human oral exposure.
Extraction, identification, and environmental risk assessment of microplastics in commercial toothpaste
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were extracted from ten commercial toothpaste brands sold in India and characterized by size and polymer type, with polyethylene being the most common material found. The study identifies toothpaste as a source of microplastic exposure through oral ingestion and wastewater discharge, adding to evidence on personal care products as plastic pollution sources.
Quantification and Characterization of Microplastics in Five Popular Indian Toothpaste Brands - A Comprehensive Analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed five popular Indian toothpaste brands for microplastic contamination and found significant variations in concentration and polymer types across brands. One brand contained the highest microplastic concentration at 0.248 grams per gram of toothpaste, with particles up to 30 micrometers including PET, polypropylene, and PTFE. The study highlights that personal care products remain a direct source of microplastic exposure and suggests that regulatory oversight of microplastic ingredients in toothpaste is needed.
Microplastic content of over-the-counter toothpastes from India: an in-vitro study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed 20 popular over-the-counter toothpastes from the Indian market and found microplastic compounds present in all samples. Using infrared spectroscopy, they identified polyamides, polyethylene, and polypropylene across all tested brands, highlighting a potential daily exposure route to microplastics through routine oral hygiene products.
Microplastics in cosmetics and their impact on human health
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed 14 studies on microplastics in cosmetics and personal care products, finding polyethylene is the most common microplastic in facial scrubs, body washes, and toothpaste, with exposure occurring mainly through skin contact and ingestion. Despite growing awareness, major gaps remain in understanding the long-term health effects and environmental persistence of these cosmetic microplastics.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.