Abstract: The sources, harmfulness of VOCs and methods of treating VOCs were introduced based on the concept of volatile organic compunds (VOCs). Activated carbon adsorption technology was mainly introduced. Factors that influenced the perfor-mance of activated carbon adsorption were summarized, including pore structure of activated carbon, surface chemical structure, activated methods, the import concentration of VOCs, the physical-chemical properties of the VOCs, mixed VOCs adsorption and packing density of adsorption column.