Attic dust reflects long-term airborne contamination of an industrial area: A case study from Ajka, Hungary

•The spatial distribution of trace elements in 27 attic dust samples has been studied.•The area is mostly contaminated by Pb, Hg and Zn.•Correlation analysis was used to estimate metal sorption to Fe-oxy-hydroxide phases.•Multi-modal histograms show anthropogenic and natural influences.•The contamination effect of lignite mining, lignite combustion and traffic is demonstrated.