The behaviour of the adsorption (equilibrium and kinetics) of traditional and crosslinked polymeric adsorbents to 1.1.1-trichloroethane and trichloroethylene vapor was studied in comparison to activated carbons at 20 and 40 degrees C. The several Values for the adsorption isotherms were calculated from breakthrough curves using flow-through apparatus. The experimentally determined isotherms were well described with known models of isotherms. A graduation of the investigated adsorbents was accomplished regarding to the capacity of adsorption at the equilibrium. The calculated kinetic parameters gave an information about the step that defines the rate of the adsorption process. These parameters and the isotherms also are the basis for the prediction of breakthrough curves (part 2 of this publication series).