20.500.12556/DiRROS-31348 Sources, seasonal trends and urban exposure to airborne particulate matter-bound pollutants Size-fractionated airborne particulate matter was collected over 1 year (2023–2024) at five urban pedestrian and cycling locations in Slovenia. PM10, PM2.5, PM0.1 were collected using a low-volume sampler with polytetrafluoroethylene filters, and PM<0.1 fraction was retained in ultrapure-water. Metal(loid)s and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined to assess the potential health and environmental risks. Metal(loid) concentrations were the highest in PM10, with most elevated levels of Zn (7 ng m−3), Ba (4.5 ng m−3), Cu (2.8 ng m−3) and Cr (1.5 ng m−3). Significant enrichment in PM<0.1 was observed for Ba, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, with Ce-normalised values indicating a strong anthropogenic contribution. Tailpipe tracers were dominant in (ultra)fine PM fractions, while non-exhaust emission markers (Ba, Cu, Zn) strongly correlated with Ce and La in PM10. Among PAHs, BbF (0.05 ng m−3), BghiP and IP (0.04 ng m−3) exhibited the highest concentrations. BaP, BghiP and IP were enriched in ultra-fine particles, indicating fresh vehicular combustion emissions. Peak pollutant concentrations occurred during the heating period (HP) and in densely populated, high-traffic cities. Source apportionment revealed a dominance of pyrogenic sources, including: (i) vehicular exhaust emissions from diesel engines (5–6-ring PAHs, Ni, V and Pb), (ii) resuspended mineral dust and non-exhaust traffic particles (Ba, Cu, Zn), and (iii) coal and biomass combustion during HP (4-ring PAHs, Co, Mo, Tl). Incremental lifetime cancer risk for As (2 × 10−7), Co (1 × 10−6) and Cr (6 × 10−6) was minimal. Hazard quotient values were below 1. Children cycling during HP experienced the highest exposure levels. The European PM10 limit values for As (6 ng m−3), Cd (5 ng m−3), Pb (500 ng m−3), Ni (20 ng m−3) and BaP (1 ng m−3) were not exceeded. size-fractionation particulate matter metal(loid)s polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons sources health risk assessment velikostna frakcionacija trdni delci (pol)kovine policiklični aromatski ogljikovodiki viri ocena tveganja za zdravje true false true Nature Publishing Group Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik © The Author(s) 2026 Neznano 2026-07-29 11:55:03 2026-08-03 11:21:45 2026-08-04 03:53:10 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 str. 1-18 article no. 17969 Vol. 16 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno apc 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2026-04-18 54 2045-2322 10.1038/s41598-026-48692-z 276233475 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-48692-z 1 94b4a6a2-8b33-11f1-923b-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=48494 RAZ_Milacic_Scancar_Radmila_2026.pdf RAZ_Milacic_Scancar_Radmila_2026.pdf 1 2C66CB1749BA131F5BF558BDFAF3B622 ac4a7a11242a63bdcccb7204002930e19970e0ec931a0a5d0b0adbf877ef68d7 e7b68227-8b33-11f1-923b-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=48495 RAZ_Milacic_Scancar_Radmila_2026.docx RAZ_Milacic_Scancar_Radmila_2026.docx 1 5555526A7F4FF0ACC25CFC127DD56A02 4d3866c59bbf6052091fe6f5222558504214866037925f03a002930f23af858e f4cab8a4-8b33-11f1-923b-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=48496 Zavod za gradbeništvo Slovenije 0 0 0