The uptakes of volatile organic compounds from a nitrogen carrier gas at 0% R.H. onto packed beds of adsorbents have been measured by monitoring the effluent vapour concentration profile as a function of time. The profiles have been quantitatively fitted by a modified Bohart-Adams equation which was then integrated to yield the adsorbent capacities. Traditional activated carbons, carbonised macroreticular resins and a macroreticular polymer were used in the study. Performance in the dynamic tests has been related to the pore volume characteristics and surface areas determined from nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Whilst the extent of micropore filling basically increased as the sorbate boiling point increased and increased capacities reflected increased micropore volumes, these trends were interrupted by size exclusion and specific polar interaction effects.