Along with the fine dust crisis,... the issue of microplastics harming our health is gaining more attention. <br />And local scientists have established a forum for sharing and discussing their research.<br />Lee Seung-jae reports. <br />Whether it be on the ground,... or floating in the world's oceans,... plastic waste is a huge problem across the globe. <br />Plastics that disturb the global ecosystem are not just an aesthetic problem. <br />In recent years, microplastics have become a serious environmental issue, and are being absorbed into our bodies.<br />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.<br /> . <br />Microplastics are consumed by fish, mussels, and other ocean life,... and make their way into our bodies when we eat seafood.<br />Sea salt has also been contaminated by microplastics.<br />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.<br />Studies on the decomposition of conventional plastics that precede microplastics were deemed successful.<br />The discovery that the bee moth decomposes and digests plastics in its intestines could be a good way to solve the problem.<br />"Using this knowledge, we can develop technology that can chemically decompose microplastics into totally harmless materials."<br />An issue created by science is now something that can only be solved through science, as well.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News. <br />
