On October 3, 2024, at ESDO’s head office in Dhaka, a press briefing was held to reveal shocking results from tests on children’s products. The study, conducted by ESDO and BAN Toxics, reveals that toys and products for kids contain toxic substances made from recycled plastic. According to XRF analysis, all 160 samples tested contained one or more hazardous chemicals, including mercury, lead, bromine, cadmium, arsenic, and other harmful substances like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Former Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh Syed Marghub Murshed, Chairperson, ESDO, Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General, ESDO, Ms. Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, ESDO, ESDO’s, Dr. Md. Abul Hashem, Senior Technical Advisor, ESDO, and Dr. Mahfuza Parveen, Associate Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Daffodil International University, and Mr. Jashaf Shamir Lorenzo, Deputy Executive Director of BAN Toxics, and Mr. Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics along with ESDO team and media representatives were present at the briefing.