Decomposition of Phenolic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals by Potassium Permanganate and (gamma)-Ray Irradiation

The decomposition of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (P-EDCs), such as phenol, 4-t-butylphenol (BuP), and bisphenol A (BPA), in aqueous solutions by potassium permanganate (KMnO4) was studied, and its efficiency was compared with that of hydroxyl radicals (OH•) generated by 60Co (gamma)-ray irradiation. Various organic acids and inorganic carbon were formed in the decomposition of P-EDCs due to either KMnO4 or OH•. They were formed via direct aromatic ring cleavage in the case of KMnO4 and via OH• addition-substitution reactions, followed by aromatic ring cleavage, in the case of OH•. Comparing the decrease in the P-EDCs based on the number of electrons, the amount of KMnO4 spent to completely eliminate BuP and BPA was comparable to that of OH•. Although three-times more KMnO4 was needed for phenol decomposition than OH•, the complete conversion of phenol into organic acids and inorganic carbon was achieved with 720 (mu)M of electrons in both cases.