Room temperature phosphorescence characteristics on filter paper of dibenzofuran (DF) and several polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the presence of different heavy atoms in conjunction with a surface active agent, sodium lauryl sulfate (NaLS), have been studied. The use of this surfactant produces an enhancement of the phosphorescence intensity in all the cases studied, which improve the sensitivity in the determination of DF and PCDFs. The optimization of experimental conditions like type of filter paper, drying and cooling times of the filter paper after spotting the sample, irradiation time, concentration of heavy atom and concentration of surfactant has been carried out. Phosphorescence lifetimes, linear dynamic range, relative standard deviation and limit of detection of the different compounds were also determined.