Aerosol particles were collected in the vicinity of copper plants in Western Poland and analysed by mass spectrometry methods like secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS) and X-ray diffraction to characterise the possible dangers for the environment and health. The motivation of the work was to approach the toxicological mechanisms that are triggered when aerosol nanoparticles enter the human body. Different analytical techniques were used in order to compare bulk and surface properties of particles. The particle collection was performed with nine-stage cascade impactor with rotating plates and also with micro-fibre quartz filter collector. SSMS bulk analysis of copper plant emitted particles shows the presence of over 30 elements, the concentration in wt.% of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cl is 30, 5, 2 and 1, respectively. XRD analysis of these particles shows crystalline phases of quartz and probable phases containing copper CuS2, lead Pb2SiO4, PbO - massicot, Pb-5[OH][PO4](3), Pb3SiO5, iron and calcium Ca[Mg0.67Fe0.33][CO3] - dolomite, ferroan, Ca[FeMg][CO3](2) - ankerite, Ca[MgFe] Si2O6 - augite. Surface sensitive SIMS depth profile analysis revealed the core-shell structure of copper plant emitted particles. The obtained structure of these particles shows that surfaces of the particles are enriched in elements like chlorine, fluorine, lead and chromium with respect to the core concentrations of these elements. The cores are composed mainly of copper, oxygen and carbon containing compounds. Lead concentration is nearly two times greater at the surface layers of particles than in the cores. SIMS analysis of urban aerosol particles collected in Legnica shows compositional dependence with size. Surface shell layer concentration of lead is three times greater for coarse 6-15 mum particles than for tiny 300 nm-1 mum particles. Such non-uniform particle morphology may enhance the toxic properties of particles suspended in air. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.