Ipatinga (IPA) and Coronel Fabriciano (FAB) cities are located in Vale do Aço, a metropolitan area and the largest industrial area in Minas Gerais state, where there are two steel mills and one pulp mill, as well as other micro and small factories. Due to industrialization, population growth, technological development and intense vehicle traffic in the region, the air pollution has been increasing. Air pollution can result in public health problems, thus it is necessary to quantify the particulate matter concentration and the toxic metals and trace elements associated in this region. This study evaluated the concentration of the total suspended particles (TSP), inhalable particles with aerodynamic size up to 10 μm (PM10) by HI-VOL manual samplers in IPA and FAB, from May to November 2010. Metals and trace elements were determined in the PM10 and TSP samples. Neutron Activation Analysis, k0-method,was applied and determined the elements As, Br, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hf, La, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, K, Zn, Zr; Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Al, Ca, Cu, Cd, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti, Zn, and Flame Emission Photometry, Na. The air quality was assessed based on the concentrations of TSP and PM10 according to CONAMA Resolution 03/1990 and elements by the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). It was observed that in the FAB concentration of TSP and PM10 mainly performed with greater variation and reached the upper limit established by CONAMA figures most often compared to the point in IPA. Air quality is generally presented GOOD for TSP and MP10 in both sampling sites. The Sn, Ca, Fe, Pb, elements Na, K, Zn and Al in TSP and PM10 in both counties were the most abundant. Fe and Sn were above the limit set by the WHO standard, as well as Cr, Pb and As The highest concentrations of TSP, PM10 and elements were observed during the dry and cold months.The high concentration results of Fe and Sn suggested that the sources of emissions were hematite transport and steel mill. It was found a strong correlation between elements concentrations and the steel factory activities and the vehicle traffic in this region.