Microplastics in Toothpaste: A Hidden Threat to Our Oceans and Health

Introduction

Ever thought your toothpaste could be polluting the ocean?  It might sound strange, but it’s true. Some popular brands still sneak microplastics into their formulas. These tiny plastic beads may help scrub your teeth, but they don’t just wash away. Instead, they end up in marine life, and potentially, in you.

What Are Microplastics and Microbeads?

Microbeads are a type of microplastic, often made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. Companies add them to products like toothpaste to give it that satisfying scrub. But here’s the catch: they don’t break down. Instead, they stick around in the environment - indefinitely.

Think of them like glitter. Once they’re out, they’re almost impossible to clean up.

How Common Are They?

A review of products from Malaysia, Turkey, and India found microplastics in toothpastes, with levels ranging from 0.2% to 7.24% by weight (Kutralam-Muniasamy et al., 2023). That might sound small, but it adds up:

◾️ In Turkey alone, over 871 million grams of microplastics are released from toothpaste into nature every year.

◾️ A report from Beat the Microbead examined 589 dental care products and found that over half contained plastic or plastic-like ingredients like carbomer and PVP (Beat the Microbead, 2023).

Environmental Impact

These microplastics are so small, they often slip right past water treatment filters. That means they go straight from your bathroom sink to rivers and oceans.

In the water, fish and other marine life often mistake them for food. That leads to physical harm, chemical exposure, and disruption of the entire marine food chain.

Worse? These plastics can carry toxic pollutants, making them even more dangerous to ecosystems.

Risks to Human Health

We’re still learning about how microplastics affect people, but early research is unsettling.

Scientists have found microplastics in human organs, lungs, and even blood. They may cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal disruption.

One 2024 study linked microplastics in arterial plaque to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes (Financial Times, 2024).

So yes, what’s bad for the ocean can also be bad for you.

What’s Being Done?

Some governments have taken action:

✅ The U.S. banned microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics through the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 (fully phased out by 2017).

✅ The EU has also started restricting intentionally added microplastics in cosmetics and personal care.

But many countries still allow them, and new ingredients with plastic-like properties often sneak through.

What You Can Do

You don’t need to be a marine biologist to make a difference. Here’s how:

Avoid ingredients like:

• Polyethylene

• Polypropylene

• PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone)

• Carbomer

  
  

Choose better products: Look for natural, ocean-safe toothpastes with biodegradable abrasives like baking soda or hydrated silica.

Speak up: Support bans on microplastics and share what you know with friends and family. For more guidance, visit BeatTheMicrobead.org.

Final Thoughts

Microplastics in toothpaste might seem like a small issue. But when millions of people brush with plastic every day, it becomes a huge problem.

With smarter choices and louder voices, we can protect our health - and the ocean. 🌊