[The Hwankyung Ilbo] Microplastic compounds were detected in many of the fabric softener products sold on the market. It is the first time in South Korea that microplastics detection has been confirmed in fabric softeners for laundry.

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 mm in size, which flow into the oceans and rivers without being filtered by sewage treatment facilities and contaminate marine ecosystems.

Green Consumer Network in Korea said it asked KOTITI, a nationally recognized testing agency, to test 12 kinds of fabric softeners on the market and found microplastics in a total of five products.

Ingestion of fish and shellfish contaminated with fine plastic has been shown to be harmful to humans in recent years.

Experts generally agree that microplastics can penetrate the body and reach the liver through blood vessels and lymphatic system because the particles are small.

The Ministry of Environment is planning to make management measures for the microbeads in cleaning and laundry products within this year, and further examine fabric softeners.

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