Along with the fine dust crisis,... the issue of microplastics harming our health is gaining more attention.
In order to find solution,... local scientists have established a forum for sharing and discussing their research.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
Whether it be on the ground,... or floating in the world's oceans,... plastic waste is a huge problem across the globe.
Plastics that disturb the global ecosystem are not just an aesthetic problem.
In recent years, microplastics have become a serious environmental issue, and are being absorbed into our bodies.
We don't know how many nanoparticles or micro-plastics are present in the environment or the human body, so I think detection and diagnosis should be done hand-in-hand.
Microplastics are consumed by fish, mussels, and other ocean life,... and make their way into our bodies when we eat seafood.
Sea salt has also been contaminated by microplastics.
Local scientists are now coming together to analyze the impact microplastics have on humans and the environment through scientific 'collective intelligence' and discussing potential solutions.
Studies on the decomposition of conventional plastics that precede microplastics were deemed successful.
The discovery that the bee moth decomposes and digests plastics in its intestines could be a good way to solve the problem.
"Using this knowledge, we can develop technology that can chemically decompose microplastics into totally harmless materials."
An issue created by science is now something that can only be solved through science, as well.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.