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PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ samples were collected at two sampling sites in Hong Kong in wintertime from November 2000 to March 2001 and in summertime from June to August 2001. The concentrations of 16 selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aerosols were quantified. Spatial and seasonal variations of PAHs were characterized. The dominated PAHs in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ included benzo[b]fluoranthene, pyrene, fluoranthene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and chrysene, accounting for 50–82% of total PAHs. The sum of 16 PAHs in PM_2.5 at roadside ranged from 3 to 330ng/m³, and in PM₁₀ between 5 and 297ng/m³, whereas at a residential/industrial/commercial site, the total PAHs in PM_2.5 was from 0.5 to 122ng/m³, and 2–269ng/m³ in PM₁₀. Results indicated that most of the PAHs were in the PM_2.5 fraction. Spatial variations were predominantly due to the difference of source strength. For both PM_2.5 and …