Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) – plastic particles smaller than 5 mm – have emerged as ubiquitous environmental contaminants with growing relevance to public health. They have been detected in air, water, food, and human biological samples, raising concerns about chronic exposure and potential health consequences. This mini-review summarizes current evidence on sources and exposure pathways of MPs, their biological fate and mechanisms of toxicity, and emerging links to adverse health outcomes, including inflammation, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenic processes, while highlighting key research gaps and public-health implications.