The surface and photophysical properties of bismuth oxyhalide catalysts were determined and correlated with photocatalytic activity. The catalysts themselves were characterized using SEM-EDS, XRD, BET and steady-state luminescence. The photocatalytic potential of these catalysts was determined for their ability to degrade 17 alpha-ethinyi estradiol (EE2) and estriol at the ppm level in water. The degree of photodecomposition was evaluated using luminescence spectroscopy and HPLC-MS/MS. This is the first time BiOX catalysts have been used to photodegrade synthetic estrogens. Also, this study reports that these BiOX catalysts are more effective at photocatalyzing the selected pharmaceuticals than traditional catalysts such as TiO2. The photocatalytic mechanisms for EE2 and estriol were compared between samples treated with BiOX and TiO2. These BiOX catalysts show great potential as solution to waste water treatment and environmental remediation. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.