Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to environmental and human health. This study investigated the toxicological and genotoxic effects of various microplastic types (polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE)) on plant and animal models. Aqueous extracts of microplastics in different size fractions (0.175 mm, 0.3 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm) were evaluated for their impact on barley seed germination and cell division. Results indicated that smaller microplastic fractions exhibited higher toxicity, particularly for PP and PE. Significant reductions in germination rates and root growth were observed, along with increased chromosomal aberrations in barley cells. Furthermore, the migration of formaldehyde, a known toxicant, from microplastics exceeded permissible limits. These findings highlight the potential risks associated with microplastic pollution, particularly in drinking water sources. Future research should focus on the long-term health impacts of microplastic exposure, including carcinogenic potential, and explore the synergistic effects with other pollutants. Stricter regulations on microplastic pollution and advancements in water treatment technologies are urgently needed to mitigate these risks.

The problem of treatment and neutralization of wastewater from chemical, petrochemical and oil refining industries is associated with the removing from them of suspended solid and plastic particles of pollution of various chemical natures, oil and petroleum products, heavy metals, surfactants, acids, alkalis, phenols and other harmful substances. To effectively treat water, various filters are used, which differ in parameters and characteristics. The purpose of this work is to determine the possibility of replacing cartridge filters used at PetroKazakhstan Oil Products LLP with easily regenerable bag filters. In the course of the research, it was found that the use of cartridge and bag filters contributes to more effective water treatment, in particular, from suspended sub- stances. When comparing them, we can say that the latter is advantageous in that it does not need to be changed when clogged, like a cartridge filter, but simply rinsed and used again in the technological chain. The bag element is quite simply washed in water, but if it is heavily clogged, it can be washed either in a solution of citric acid (20 g/l) or in an alkali solution (10 g/l).