A reaction has been published in an old report that halocarbons can be mineralized by metal nanoparticles such as silver and gold nanoparticles. The reaction takes place in the presence of alcohols either methanol or ethanol solutions as well by catalytic destruction leading to the metal halide and amorphous carbon. The reaction can occur with fluoro, chloro and bromocarbons and the reaction products can be removed ompletely from the solution. This is a viable process for halocarbon removal. Application of this reaction are in the detection, extraction and degradation of environmentally significant halocarbons and pesticides.