Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are being used as interim replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that cause significant stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming relating to the greenhouse effect: HCFCs under commercial uses such as cleaning solvents include HCFC-123 (2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane), HCFC-141b (1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane), HCFC-225ca (3,3dichloro-1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane), and HCFC-225cb (1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane). From the environmental, ecological, and regulatory points of view, it is important to limit and control the emissions of these cleaning solvents from the surface finishing processes. Adsorption technology has been utilized for many years to recover organic vapors by using carbon-based or zeolite-based adsorbent. This article aims to introduce these HCFCs in terms of physiochemical properties, commercial uses, and environmental hazards (i.e., stratospheric ozone depletion, global warming, and health & safety). Further, the main studies on the adsorption isotherm and desorption methods of these HCFCs by various adsorbents (i.e., granular activated carbon, activated carbon fiber, and hydrophobic zeolite) are reviewed in this paper. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.