A hybrid catalyst (CZ50) of cuprous oxide and zeolite was prepared and used in a catalytic system in which gaseous 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) was degraded. The effects of relative humidity (15 and 65%) and wavelength of irradiation (ultraviolet, blue, green and red light) on the degradation of 1,2-DCE were studied. The experimental results reveal that the hybrid catalyst degraded the hazardous material under visible light. A comparison of the results obtained under ultraviolet and red irradiation at a relative humidity of 15% revealed almost equal degradation efficiencies of 83.8 and 82.2%, respectively. In the system with hybrid catalysts, a lower relative humidity favored 1,2-DCE degradation, indicating that relative humidity critically affects the degradation of hazardous materials. The most important result was that the intermediates of the degradation of 1,2-DCE included ethane, carbon dioxide, and formic acid yielded, which are mostly harmless and non-toxic materials. The experimental results indicated that the method could effectively be used to degrade hazardous materials to provide a healthy and safe environment for workers. (C) 2014 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.