Removal of nitrosamines from waste water by potassium ferrate oxidation.

Potassium ferrate (K2FeO4) is useful in the advanced treatment of waste water. Additional evidence of this capability is presented in this study. Potassium ferrate is a very strong oxidant and is highly soluble in water. The nitrosamine studied in this work was toxic and was a potent pancreatic tumorigen in laboratory animals. Nitrosamines, which are potent carcinogens, are widespread throughout the environment and can be eliminated from waste water effluent by the action of potassium ferrate. Potassium ferrate and the nitrosamine was placed in aqueous solution and allowed to react to completion. Analysis by photospectroscopy revealed that the nitrosamine was completely degraded. This result suggests that potassium ferrate is useful for decontamination of some waste water collections.