Incheon City to Launch Study on Atmospheric Microplastic Pollution

The Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute announced on March 16 that it will conduct a "Research Project on Atmospheric Microplastic Pollution Tracking."

Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, generated during product use or through abrasion and fragmentation, and are known to spread throughout the environment. Recently, microplastics have been detected not only in oceans and rivers, but also in the atmosphere, drawing attention as a new environmental risk factor.

However, research on atmospheric microplastics is still in its early stages. Standardized analytical methods and validation systems have yet to be sufficiently established, resulting in a lack of highly reliable empirical data.

Five air microplastic pollution monitoring stations. Provided by Incheon City Health and Environment Research Institute

In response, the institute plans to expand its research scope into the atmospheric domain, building on its experience as the first local government body to conduct marine microplastic surveys and its analytical capabilities. The goal is to establish an integrated management foundation that reflects regional characteristics and to secure scientific evidence necessary for developing an Incheon-specific response strategy.

The institute will select five locations, including port areas, industrial complexes, and major transportation hubs, to measure the concentration levels and primary components of microplastics in the air. Subsequently, it will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the occurrence characteristics and movement patterns of atmospheric microplastics by linking the data with meteorological and air quality information.

Kim Myunghee, Director of the Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute, stated, "Atmospheric microplastics are a potential risk factor that could be directly linked to citizens' health, so a proactive response based on scientific evidence is of utmost importance. Through this research, we aim to identify appropriate management directions for atmospheric microplastics tailored to Incheon's environmental conditions and to provide effective policy data."

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