Airborne contamination has been of concern for a number of scientist in temperate regions. In the tropics, a very small amount of data is available. In this work, rain water particulate material was monitored in two sites in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil): the first (Sepetiba), subjected to high inputs of metals from industrial activities and the second (Iguaba), subjected to very mild contamination. Particulate material was obtained by filtration of rain water samples. The filters were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The results show three important features: 1) the element enrichment patterns could be split into two groups, crustal and anthropogenic derived; 2) uniformity of element loads in rain water particles is observed; 3) enrichment of certain trace elements in airborne particles is probably an important source of contaminants to soils, sediments and the marine environment.