A method for the determination of trace metal elements in PM 2. 5 by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was developed. Wet digestion, the interference was corrected by using Y/Bi/In element as internal standard, and trace metal elements in PM 2. 5 were determined by ICP-MS. The method has good linearity and the correlation coefficient is 0. 999 9. The detection limits of the method were between 0. 11 and 36. 1 mg/m3. The precision and accuracy of the method were good. The relative standard deviations were between 8. 3% and 19. 4%, and the average recoveries ranged from 85. 0% to 5. 5%. The method was simple, fast and accurate and can be used to analyze trace metal elements in PM2. 5.