Abstract: A waste gas stream including halohydrocarbons is treated with a surface wave to form a cold plasma. Additional reaction gases can be mixed with the waste gas stream to improve the destruction of the halohydrocarbons. The apparatus for the treatment of gaseous halogenated organic and other persistent organic compounds includes a reaction vessel (12) in which the waste gas is exposed to the surface wave, thereby forming a non-thermal plasma. The apparatus further includes a means for mixing (7) the waste gases together with the appropriate ancillary reaction gases to facilitate formation of free radicals suited to treat a particular waste stream. Also, a means of introducing an appropriate mixture of waste gases and additive gases into the plasma reaction vessel where the halohydrocarbons are decomposed is provided. Since some reactions may produce solid material by-products that are not easily handled by suction pumps a means of trapping (13) these particles may be included in this apparatus.