Particulate matter emission from a stack attached to the kiln and raw mill in a cement plant was studied. Elemental (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn. Ni, Pb and Zn) and ionic (Ca2+, NO3-. SO42-) composition and particle size distribution of stack particulates, principal raw materials and products were determined. The feed rates of raw meal were found to be 144 and 18 t h(-1) at cyclone and bag house inlets, respectively, while stack emission of the same amounted to 86 kg h(-1), indicating bag filter removal efficiency of over 99%. Particle size distribution of stack particulates revealed that PM10. PM2.4 and PM1 had cumulative shares of 88%. 49% and 15%, respectively. Emission load of various elements from the stack ranged from 0.001 (copper) to 1.69 (iron) kg h(-1). Air quality modelling indicated that maximum ground level concentrations of As. Pb, Ni, Cd and Cr were much lower than the prescribed ambient air quality standards in India and also the Health Guidelines of USEPA and others. Particle size distribution and the elemental content of the raw materials, by-products and cement indicated that elemental exposure is likely from fugitive emissions during improper material handling and transport. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.