The photocatalytic degradation of carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate) was investigated in an aqueous solution using Degussa P-25 TiO2 and ZnO as photocatalysts. The progress of degradation was monitored using TOC analyzer, HPLC, GC-MS and UV-vis spectrophotometer. The effects of various experimental parameters such as initial concentration of carbofuran, pH of the solution, catalyst loading and light intensity were systematically studied in order to achieve maximum degradation efficiency. The complete mineralization of carbofuran was confirmed by TOC analyzer. The degradation with ZnO showed less efficiency than TiO2. The formation of NO3 (-) was identified and quantified using HPLC. In addition, four different intermediates formed during the degradation process were also identified and characterized by GC-MS. The mineralization rate was compared with lamps of wavelength 254 and 365 nm under similar conditions. The rate with 254 nm was observed to be very close to that of 365 nm. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.