The electrical and chemical properties of the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) process for the benzene removal were investigated. The benzene removal was initiated with the applied voltage higher than the discharge onset value. The removal efficiency over 95 % was obtained at approximately 1.6 kJ lite $r^{r-1}$ of the electrical energy density. The increase of the inlet concentration decreased the removal efficiency. However, the benzene decomposition rate increased with the inlet concentration . While the increase of the gas retention time enhanced the removal efficiency, the decomposition rate decreased. Identification of the optimum condition between the decomposition rate and the removal efficiency is required for field applications of the DBD process.s.