Mikroplastik: Bahaya partikel mini yang mengancam ekosistem global dan kesehatan manusia

Abstract

Microplastics are man-made polymer particles that cannot be fully broken down, causing them to persist in the environment for long periods. Their extremely small size allows these particles to enter the human body either directly or through the food chain, where they may trigger pathological effects in living tissues. Although there is currently no clinical evidence linking microplastics to specific human diseases, Indonesia—as a major maritime nation and one of the world’s significant sources of microplastic pollution—requires healthcare workers to understand microplastic toxicokinetics and the potential biological responses that may arise from exposure.This literature review aims to explain the definition, formation, accumulation pathways, toxicokinetic behavior, and possible pathological mechanisms of microplastics, with a focus on biomolecular perspectives and implications for public health. Literature was collected through Google Scholar and PubMed using the keywords “microplastics” and “health,” along with their Indonesian equivalents. Full-text English and Indonesian articles published between 2018 and 2020 were used as the primary references. Microplastics represent a newly recognized pollutant that is increasingly accumulating in Earth’s biomass and may contribute to harmful biological effects in humans. Therefore, healthcare professionals must be aware of the potential dangers posed by microplastics and take appropriate preventive and management actions based on scientific evidence.