The determination of selenium in solid materials related with the use of coal for energy production was evaluated by two methods; ICP-MS and HG-ICP-MS. Coals, fly ashes and various solids used as sorbents in gas cleaning processes (kaolin, limestone, alumina, metal oxide mixtures and activated carbons), were the materials analysed. In several of these materials, selenium could be determined by either method with similar results. However in coal, fly ashes and some activated carbons, the use of a HG-ICP-MS is necessary in order to avoid interferences. The results obtained by both methods in samples whose selenium content ranges from mug g(-1) to mg g(-1), are discussed. In general, good (+/-2-4%) to excellent (+/-1-2%) agreement between the reference and the obtained concentrations was achieved in the analysis of the certified and reference samples, the relative standard deviation being lower than 10% in all cases. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.