Abstract: A method for destroying toxic organic chemical products. The method is particularly adapted for the destruction of polyhalogenated polyphenyls, especially polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The toxic organic chemical product is intimately contacted and reacted with a molten mixture of an alkali metal hydroxide and an alkali metal nitrate, so that it is converted to harmless products which, in the case of PCBs, include a halide salt, at least one carbon oxide, and water. By incorporating a substantial excess of nitrate in the mixture most of the salt is caused to precipitate and to settle out to the bottom for easy removal.