Abstract: A continuous thermal treatment furnace for converting hazardous materials into environmentally acceptable materials, including a continuous belt for conveying hazardous materials through a substantially air-tight heating chamber having heating elements to thermally detoxify the hazardous materials on the belt, a charging zone and a discharging zone, each being ducted to convey volatiles to an off-gas handling system in which hazardous volatiles are converted to environmentally acceptable materials, the discharge zone being at least partially water-jacketed to cool discharged solids, the continuous belt being returned to the charging zone outside of the heating chamber in order for the belt to be cooled.