The decomposition of a series of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been carried out by gliding arc, a new-interest type of plasma technology in our laboratory. The operation of gliding are was done at ambient temperature and normal pressure. Feed compositions were containing 0.1-0.5% of aromatic VOCs and 1-8% of chlorinated VOCs diluted in atmospheric air and total flow rates were varied from 3 to 5 L/min. Significant conversions (> 50%) of VOCs with high destruction efficiency have been achieved in gliding arc plasma. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.