| Title: | Sources, seasonal trends and urban exposure to airborne particulate matter-bound pollutants |
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| Authors: | ID Ilenič, Anja (Corresponding author)
ID Milačič Ščančar, Radmila (Author)
ID Mauko Pranjić, Alenka (Author)
ID Zupančič, Nina (Author)
ID Đurić, Marija (Author)
ID Ščančar, Janez (Author) |
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| Files: |  URL - Source URL, visit https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-48692-z
 PDF - Presentation file, download (5,16 MB)
MD5: 2C66CB1749BA131F5BF558BDFAF3B622
 DOCX - Supplement, download (130,43 KB)
MD5: 5555526A7F4FF0ACC25CFC127DD56A02
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  ZAG - Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
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| Abstract: | 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. |
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| Keywords: | size-fractionation, particulate matter, metal(loid)s, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, sources, health risk assessment |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Publication date: | 18.04.2026 |
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| Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-18 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 16, article no. 17969 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-31348  |
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| UDC: | 54 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2045-2322 |
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| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-026-48692-z |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 276233475 |
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| Copyright: | © The Author(s) 2026
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 03.08.2026 |
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| Views: | 51 |
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| Downloads: | 51 |
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