Front elements are surprisingly tough. As a rule, UV filters don’t do much other than degrade image quality (some notable exceptions are neutral density and solar filters). I swore off uv filters over a decade ago, and have never looked back.
A lot of people think that they can act as sacrificial elements, to protect the actual front element. In reality, any impact that’s going to damage the front element won’t be stopped by the filter. Front elements are best protected by religious use of lens caps and hoods.
I seriously doubt that any loose glass particles are going to hurt the lens, except for maybe getting glass dust everywhere.
You should be able to get the filter unscrewed; gently with some pliers gripping the edge of the ring.