Quantitative determination of 10 minor and 8 trace elements in respirable coal dust by atomic absorption spectrophotometry is described herein. The coal dust samples were collected in the mine atmosphere during drilling in coal seams. A "Hexhlet" apparatus specially designed and fitted with a horizontal elutriator was used to collect the respirable coal dust fraction. After destruction of organic matter by wet oxidation and filtering off the clay and silica, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, zinc, copper, cadmium, and nickel were determined directly in the resulting solution by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The studies relate to the respiratory disease-pneumoconiosis-affecting coal mine workers. X-Ray diffraction studies have shown the presence of kaolin, quartz, pirrsonite and beidellite clay minerals in the coal dust.