Compositions and quantities of gases produced by different coal samples at different temperature ranges were analyzed by simulating experiments in the laboratory. It is found that they are related to three major factors, temperature, external water content and retardant ratio. The quantitative relations between gas makers and temperature are established. CO and C2H4 could be used as index gases for the prediction of coal spontaneous combustion in the low-temperature range for the experimental mine coal. The MEA-1A retardant had good performance in fixing the external water content of coal and inhibiting coal oxidation; it could be used in preventing the spontaneous combustion of coal prevention and its appropriate ratio was determined. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.