The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER, President Geum Hanseung) under the Ministry of Environment will hold the 6th International Microplastics Symposium on “Microplastic Management Trends, Analysis, Distribution Characteristics, and Harmfulness” at the Seamarq Hotel in Gangneung on November 2.

Since 2018, the NIER has been hosting an annual international microplastics symposium to address and explore solutions to the microplastic issue. This year's event, held in collaboration with the Korean Society for Environmental Analysis, will be broadcasted live online (YouTube) starting at 1:30 PM on November 2.

* Search for 'International Microplastics Symposium' on YouTube (www.youtube.com) and watch it

This event is divided into two sessions. Session 1 will focus on "Directions and Analysis for Microplastics," while Session 2 will address " Distribution, Hazard and Risk for Microplastics." Each session will feature presentations and discussions on recent research trends in microplastics by eight experts from both domestic and international sources, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. 

In Session 1, △ Director Yongjun Lee from the International Environmental Cooperation Center at the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, will present on the ‘Update on the International Negotiating Committee on the ILBI on plastic pollution including the marine environment,’ while △ Dr. Win Cowger from the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, USA will discuss 'Automated analysis of microplastics in drinking water.' Additionally, △ Prof. Dongha Shin at Inha University will introduce 'Development of Raman based fast sub-micro plastic detection technique,' and △ Mr. Marius Bednarz from the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) will present on 'Optimization of the TED-GC/MS method for the microplastic analysis in environmental samples.' 

In Session 2, △ Prof. Timothy Gant from the UK Health Security Agency will present on the 'The fabrication and assessment of hazard of microplastics in cell systems.' △ Dr. Dong Hoon Im from the National Institute of Fisheries Science will discuss 'Microplastic concentration in coastal environment of Korea with guideline.' △ Dr. Leah Thornton Hampton from the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, USA will talk about the 'Characterizing microplastic hazards: which concentration metrics and particle characteristics are most informative for understanding toxicity in aquatic organism?' Finally, △ Dr. Jae Woong Lee from the NIER will present research findings on the 'The occurrence and Toxicity of the wear particles in road dusts.'

Following the presentations by the experts, both domestic and international speakers, as well as the audience, come together to engage in discussions on topics such as microplastic management trends, distribution characteristics, and hazards.

Lee Soo-hyeong, Director of Environmental Infrastructure Research Department at the NIER, stated, "This event serves as a platform where microplastic experts from various fields come together to collectively address the issue and build a scientific foundation. Through ongoing discussions and mutual exchange with domestic and international experts, we will strive to share research trends on microplastics and explore avenues for cooperation."

Contact: Choi In-cheol, Environmental Researcher

Water Supply and Sewerage Research Division / +82-(0)32-560-8341