Microplastics as Environmental Pollutants: Biological and Health Consequences – A Comprehensive Review

Janean Ya'rub ALSaeedi; Salwa Abdulzahra Abduljaleel

doi:10.63359/p3wnyh11

Article Details

Microplastics as Environmental Pollutants: Biological and Health Consequences – A Comprehensive Review

Authors:

Janean Ya'rub ALSaeedi | Salwa Abdulzahra Abduljaleel

Publisher:

Libyan Center for Studies and Research in Environmental Science and Technology

Journal:

المجلة الليبية لعلوم وتكنولوجيا البيئة Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.36-45

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001395554

pISSN:

2710-5237

DOI:

10.63359/p3wnyh11

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Microplastic pollution is now a lasting environmental problem. It affects the health of ecosystems and the health of humans. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources, environmental distribution, exposure pathways, and biological effects of microplastics across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems. Primary microplastics are made on purpose for industry and consumer uses. Secondary microplastics form when big pieces of plastic break down. Both primary and secondary microplastics appear in water, soil, air, food and biological samples. In the water animals and the land animals microplastics often cause trouble eating, slower growth, cell damage from chemicals, inflammation and damage, to tissues. At the cell and molecule level microplastics can kill cells and damage DNA. Microplastics also disturb the system and change how genes work. The ability to adsorb and transport co occurring contaminants, like metals and persistent organic pollutants makes the contaminants more toxic. The human exposure comes mainly from eating and breathing. The ability to hold onto and move contaminants, such, as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants creates combined and joint biological effects. The human exposure happens mainly through eating or breathing some microplastics and that interpret found microplastics in stool, blood, and placental tissues. The microplastics risks include cell damage, swelling, hormone disruption and buildup of chemicals.

Article Details

Microplastics as Environmental Pollutants: Biological and Health Consequences – A Comprehensive Review

Authors:

Janean Ya'rub ALSaeedi | Salwa Abdulzahra Abduljaleel

Publisher:

Libyan Center for Studies and Research in Environmental Science and Technology

Journal:

المجلة الليبية لعلوم وتكنولوجيا البيئة Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.36-45

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001395554

pISSN:

2710-5237

DOI:

10.63359/p3wnyh11

Microplastics

Environmental pollutants

Biological consequences

Health consequences

Issues

Article Details

Microplastics as Environmental Pollutants: Biological and Health Consequences – A Comprehensive Review

Authors: Janean Ya'rub ALSaeedi | Salwa Abdulzahra Abduljaleel

Publisher: Libyan Center for Studies and Research in Environmental Science and Technology

Journal: المجلة الليبية لعلوم وتكنولوجيا البيئة Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.36-45

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001395554

pISSN: 2710-5237

DOI: 10.63359/p3wnyh11

Microplastics

Environmental pollutants

Biological consequences

Health consequences

Issues

Authors:

Janean Ya'rub ALSaeedi | Salwa Abdulzahra Abduljaleel

Publisher:

Libyan Center for Studies and Research in Environmental Science and Technology

Journal:

المجلة الليبية لعلوم وتكنولوجيا البيئة Vol.8 Issue 1, pp.36-45

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001395554

pISSN:

2710-5237

DOI:

10.63359/p3wnyh11