Efficient oxidation of diatrizoate could be achieved by photo-activated persulfate. UV/PS was found to be more efficient than UV/H2O2 for DTZ removal under irradiation. Rate constant of DTZ with SO4·- was determined by laser flash photolysis. Pathways included deiodination/decarboxylation-hydroxylation and side chain cleavage. Light-absorbing photoproducts contain hydroquinone and benzoquinone moieties.