Partitioning of eight targeted heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Cu, Ph, Sn, Co, Ni and Zn) was carried out during five trial bums in Izmit hazardous and clinical waste incinerator (IZAYDAS). Metal contents of the original wastes and their concentration in the bottom ash (BA), fly ash (FA), filter cake (FC) and flue gas were determined. Partitioning behavior of metals during the two-stage incineration was evaluated with respect to physico-chemical properties of feed waste and metals, and the operational conditions. Results suggest that combustion temperatures and retention times are the dominant parameters determining the volatility of metals in the first combustion chamber. Targeted metals were generally partitioned in the rank of bottom ash, filter cake, fly ash and flue gas. High filter cake/fly ash ratios showed that high temperatures in the second stage increase both the formation of gaseous metallic compounds and the enrichment of metals in fine particles. Since ESP could not be effective in removing fine particles and volatilized metallic compounds, the necessity of an additional system that would remove heavy metals efficiently was emphasized for the modem incinerators. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.