Samples of coal and solid carbonization product obtained at four temperatures: 400, 600, 850 and 1000degreesC were tested on account of the contents of trace elements. The following hazardous trace elements were considered: arsenic, beryl, cadmium, manganese, nickel, lead, mercury and selenium. The release curves for the elements tested were determined. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.