Assessment of trace elements directly from archived total suspended particulate filters by laser ablation ICP-MS: A case study of South Carolina

•An automated LA-ICP-MS technique was used to assess trace elements on TSP filters from three sites in South Carolina.•There was minimal sample preparation and simultaneous multi-element analyses was achieved within minutes.•At sites with no elemental data, data acquired from LA-ICP-MS can improve air quality characterization and provide useful information to control particulate air pollution.