The health impacts of suspended particulate matter (SPM) are significantly associated with size-the smaller the aerosol particles, the stronger the biological effect. Quantitative evaluation of fine and ultrafine particles (FP and UFP) is, therefore, an integral part of ongoing epidemiological studies. The mass concentrations of SPM fractions (especially PM2.5, PM1.0, PM0.25) were measured in an industrial area using cascade personal samplers and a gravimetric method, and their mass ratio was determined. The results of PM2.5, PM1.0 were also compared with the reference measurement at stationary stations. The mean ratios PM2.5/SPM, PM1.0/SPM, and PM1.0/PM2.5 were 0.76, 0.65, and 0.86, respectively. Surprisingly, a mass dominance of UFP with an aerodynamic diameter <0.25 μm (PM0.25) was found with mean ratios of 0.43, 0.57, 0.67 in SPM, PM2.5 and PM1.0. The method used showed satisfactory agreement in comparison with reference measurements. The respirable fraction may consist predominantly of UFP. Despite the measures currently being taken to improve air quality, the most biologically efficient UFP can escape and remain in the air. UFP are currently determined primarily as particle number as opposed to the mass concentration used for conventional fractions. This complicates their mutual comparison and determination of individual fraction ratios.

Centre for Epidemiological Research Faculty of Medicine University of Ostrava 703 00 Ostrava Czech Republic

Department of Applied Mathematics Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science VSB Technical University of Ostrava 708 00 Ostrava Czech Republic

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Faculty of Medicine University of Ostrava 703 00 Ostrava Czech Republic

Institute of Meteorology and Water Management National Research Institute 01 673 Warsaw Poland

Institute of Public Health in Ostrava 702 000 Ostrava Czech Republic

Lukasiewicz Research Network Institute of Ceramics and Building Materials 31 983 Cracow Poland

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