Degradation of iodinated X-ray contrast media by advanced oxidation processes: A literature review with a focus on degradation pathways

Available online Iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICMs) are clinical drugs used to enhance the imaging effect. Triiodobenzene ring structures of ICMs lead to its extremely high chemical stability, biological inertness, which makes it difficult to be completely removed by traditional water treatment processes. Hence, considerable concentration of ICMs can be frequently detected in aquatic environment. Relying on the strong oxidation capacity of HO^• or SO₄^•‒, various advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have demonstrated substantial removal efficiency for ICMs. It is evident that ICMs can be decomposed mainly through (1) deiodination, (2) dehydration, (3) decarboxylation, (4) H-abstraction, (5) hydroxyl addition, (6) hydroxyl substitution, (7) oxidation of alcohol groups, (8) cleavage of amide bond, and (9) amino oxidation. However, during the ICMs removal process, the C-I bonds of ICMs molecules are broken, giving rise to the formation of cytotoxic iodination disinfection by-products (I-DBPs) that are potentially more harmful to the ecosystem and human health than their parent compounds. To better understand the technology gaps, this review elaborates the major AOPs which are effective for ICMs removal and emphasizes on the main degradation routes of ICMs in different oxidation system. Some prevailing concerns and challenges are discussed for optimizing the ICMs treatment process.