The Content of As and Heavy Metals in TSP and PM 10 Near Copper Smelter in Bor, Serbia Viša Tasić & Renata Kovačević & Biljana Maluckov & Tatjana Apostolovski – Trujić & Branislava Matić & Mira Cocić & Mirjana Šteharnik Received: 7 January 2017 /Accepted: 10 May 2017 /Published online: 3 June 2017 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017 Abstract The content of As and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cu) in total suspended particulate (TSP) and PM 10 at 3 locations (Park, Institute, and Jugopetrol) near the copper smelter in Bor (Serbia) has been analyzed within the period 2004 to 2015 with the aim of investi- gating the seasonal and spatial changes of those pollut- ants in the suspended particles. The content of As in TSP and PM 10 was over the annual EU limit value at all measuring points during the entire period of observa- tion, while contents of Cd and Pb were periodically above the annual EU limits. There were no statistically significant seasonal changes between mean levels of the observed elements in the cold (October–March) and warm (April–September) periods during the year. A strong and moderate positive correlation was detected between the concentrations of each particular element (except Ni) at all measuring points. Additionally, Cd was the most enriched element followed by Pb, As, and Cu, while Ni was low-enriched. The constant air pollution with As particles, sometimes in concentrations even 20 times higher than the permitted annual value, requires urgent undertaking of concrete actions in order to reduce anthropogenic emission of suspended particles in Bor. Keywords Air pollution . Particulate matter . Copper smelter . Arsenic . Heavy metals 1 Introduction Airborne particles or aerosols with an aerodynamic di- ameter below 100 μm are referred to as total suspended particulate matter (TSP). Similarly, airborne particles with aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm are referred to as PM 10 . TSP and PM 10 in the atmosphere originate from both natural (soil, bacteria, fungi, pollen, and salt particles from evaporating sea water) and anthropogenic sources (motor vehicle use, combustion products from space heating, and industrial processes) (Lippmann 2002). It is determined that air pollution has both acute and chronic effects on human health, affecting a number of different systems and organs, ranging from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory and heart disease, or even lung cancer (Kampa and Castanas 2008; Lippmann 2002). Long-term exposure to elevated concentration of toxic metals and metalloids in suspended particles often cause respiratory and car- diovascular diseases, increasing both morbidity and mortality (Anderson et al. 2001; Atkinson et al. 2010; Pope et al. 2002, 2007; Razos and Christides 2010; Serbula et al. 2013). Furthermore, toxicity of the suspended particles is related to their size and elemental Water Air Soil Pollut (2017) 228: 230 DOI 10.1007/s11270-017-3393-6 V. Tasić (*) : R. Kovačević : T. Apostolovski – Trujić : M. Šteharnik Mining and Metallurgy Institute, Zeleni bulevar 35, Bor 19210, Serbia e-mail: visa.tasic@irmbor.co.rs B. Maluckov : M. Cocić Technical Faculty in Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, Bor 19210, Serbia B. Matić Institute of Public Health of Serbia, Dr Subotića 5, Belgrade 11000, Serbia