Microwave-assisted oxidation of trichloroethane (TCE) performed at 500-580°C has been found to be significantly more efficient than conventional oxidation methods. Experiments were conducted using a 6 kW, 2.45 GHz power supply and a 6 inch bed of silicon carbide granules in a 1 inch diameter quartz reactor tube which in turn was placed in a microwave cavity. After heating the reactor to a given temperature a TCE-air stream was passed through the silicon carbide bed. TCE was almost completely detoxified (98-99%) in a single pass through the silicon carbide bed at 500-580°C. The oxidation products are HC1, CO2 and CO. By comparison the corresponding single-pass detoxification using conventional thermal methods results in only partial conversion. The principal products being dichloroethylene (C2H2C12) and HCl.