20.500.12556/DiRROS-29396 Determination of metal(oid)s and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in size-fractionated airborne particulate matter methodological approaches, trends, gaps and future needs : a review This review highlights a significant gap in the multi-pollutant characterisation of ultrafine particulate matter (PM <0.1 µm), focusing on metal(oid)s and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Fractionation mechanisms, sampling protocols and analytical methods are examined with an emphasis on integrating quality assurance measures to ensure high-quality data and facilitate cross-study comparability. Based on studies published between 2010 and 2025, research has largely focused on the analysis of pollutants bound to PM2.5 or PM10. Only 5% of the studies addressed ultrafine particles (UFPs), which have the greatest toxicological impacts. The measurement of both pollutant groups within a single sampling campaign was rare (14% of the studies). The reliability of analytical data was rarely evaluated. Only 33% of the studies employed certified reference materials for quality control and method validation. Microwave-assisted digestion and ultrasound-assisted extraction were commonly used for sample preparation prior to the determination of metal(oid)s and PAHs, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. Both pollutant groups exhibited strong seasonal variability, with elevated concentrations observed during heating periods in cold seasons, as well as associated with fine PM and UFPs, fractions that exhibit high bioaccessibility. Smaller PM fractions were associated with anthropogenic sources, including fossil fuel and biomass combustion, traffic and industrial emissions, while coarse PM reflected naturally-derived crustal material. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of uniform and comprehensive protocols for sampling UFPs and quantifying associated pollutants, which are essential for reliable data and effective urban air quality control strategies aimed at mitigating emissions. particulate matter urban air quality sampling protocols analytical methods metal(oid)s polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons trdni delci vzorčenje po velikostnih frakcijah kakovost zraka v mestih protokol vzorčenja (pol)kovine policiklični aromatski ogljikovodiki true false true Elsevier Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik © 2026 The Authors Neznano 2026-05-15 10:01:47 2026-05-15 10:46:13 2026-05-16 03:49:11 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 str. 1-11 [article no.] e00303 Vol. 50 Jun. 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2026-03-18 54 2214-1588 10.1016/j.teac.2026.e00303 272699651 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teac.2026.e00303 0 ac625afc-5034-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=44053 RAZ_Kumar_Prashant_2026.pdf RAZ_Kumar_Prashant_2026.pdf 1 86E1E99C5F28AFF8351648736F89CDD0 cdb4015d16916894edc24806e31d30b090c3c58ecd397e0fbe835b672717ea4b b38dd551-5034-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=44054 RAZ_Kumar_Prashant_2026.docx RAZ_Kumar_Prashant_2026.docx 1 FCBB59CAF38AB175793BD641B0607E3D a9ef7903ffb394a4eec281ea38cf18e78056a6eb8c02904aae19b9aaff483263 bc8d650d-5034-11f1-8a5a-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=44055 Zavod za gradbeništvo Slovenije 0 0 0